Preview: Mexico – Uruguay

(GSM) – With both sides just needing a point to advance to the round of 16, it will be interesting to see how Mexico and Uruguay approach Tuesday’s Group A finale at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

A draw would leave each side on five points and would put both into the knockout stages, though Uruguay would go through as group winners by virtue of having a better goal differential.

Uruguay upended 10-man host South Africa in their last game while Mexico took down France by a score of 2-0, sparking more problems for the troubled French.

If either side lose the game, then they will have to worry about the other game between South Africa and France to see if they could still get through with four points.

Carlos Vela (thigh) and Efraín Juárez (suspension) are ruled out for El Tri, meaning both will need replacements in the squad for coach Javier Aguirre. It is likely that Pablo Barrera would start up front for Vela, though it is not clear who would replace Juárez.

After two very good results, it is unlikely that Uruguay coach Óscar Tabárez will make any changes and will likely play for the victory. Nicolás Lodeiro is eligible after sitting out a match for his red card against France.

Bookings will not reset until after the group stage, so Guillermo Franco, Héctor Moreno, Francisco Rodríguez and Gerardo Torrado will need to be careful for Mexico.

For Uruguay, Mauricio Victorino and Diego Lugano are sitting on bookings from Uruguay’s opener.