Mexico vs. Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup: Watch Live Stream, Start Time, TV Schedule, Lineups & Predictions, En Vivo on Univision
By all accounts, Mexico shouldn't even be here. Internal scrums, multiple coaching changes, and having been shut out five times led to losses in eight of 10 Concacaf tournament matches.
During qualifications for the 2014 World Cup, they were one loss away from missing the World Cup for the first time since 1982. Just then, fate intervened.
The United States -- Mexico's longtime rival -- defeated Panama, giving El Tri new life. They won both matches of a two-game playoff against New Zealand, shut out Cameroon in World Cup Group A's opening round, and forced a draw with Brazil in a jaw-dropping contest that made a national hero out of goalkeeper Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa.
The road to Brazil wasn't as turbulent for the Oranje. Led by near-unstoppable striker Robin van Persie, the Dutch steamrolled through World Cup qualifying matches and guaranteed a spot with two games to spare.
They embarrassed defending champion Spain 5-1 before handily defeating Australia and Chile. Van Persie and Arjen Robben are on a roll and among the tournament's top scorers. Even top midfielder Kevin Strootman's knee injury hasn't deterred the Netherlands from aiming for their first-ever Cup win.
When: Sunday, June 29, 2014
Where: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza
Kick-off: 12:00 p.m. ET
Live Stream: Watch ESPN
TV: ABC, Univision
What to Watch For:
Ochoa Defending the Net - The 28-year-old goalkeeper won't be a free agent for long following World Cup play.
Mexico is tied with Costa Rica and Belgium for fewest goal allowed because of Ochoa's ability to be at the right place at the right time. The only goal conceded was a consolation strike to Croatia's Ivan Perisic in El Tri's 3-1 win.
He denied Neymar twice in a 0-0 draw with Brazil, earning praise from both teams along with Man of the Match honors. He'll have to take it up a notch against two of tournament's most vicious strikers.
Stopping Van Persie and Robben - Van Persie and Robben have become the World Cup's most dangerous duo.
Coming off an underwhelming season with Manchester United, Van Persie scored three goals in two matches, including a highlight reel score against Spain.
As if that weren't enough, Robben eviscerated opening-round defenders and was even clocked running at 19.3 mph past the Spanish defense.
Double coverage might work if the Dutch had one potent striker. They have two assassins.
The only change Mexico will make is in replacing suspended midfielder Jose Juan Vasquez with Carlos Salcido. In reality, that's the only change that needs to be made. If they can shout out the Brazilian national team, it's possible with the Dutch.
Prediction - El Tri's storybook run will come to an end against the most dominant World Cup team thus far. Netherlands 3-2
Projected Lineups:
Mexico (3-5-1-1): Guillermo Ochoa, Hector Moreno, Rafael Marquez, Francisco Rodriguez, Miguel Layun, Andres Guardado, Carlos Pena, Hector Hererra, Paul Aguilar, Giovani dos Santos, Oribe Peralta
Netherlands (5-3-2): Jasper Cillessen, Bruno Martins Indi, Ron Vlaar, Stefan de Vrij, Daley Blind, Nigel de Jong, Jonathan de Guzman, Daryl Janmaat, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie