Home advantage ‘could prove valuable’- Torradopublished at 13:23 BST
13:23 BST
Mexico v Ecuador (Wed, 02:00 BST)
Mexico played all three of their group‑stage games on home soil, in Mexico City and Guadalajara.
They will play their third game at the Azteca Stadium against Ecuador and are set to remain in Mexico City again if they reach the round of 16 – which could be against England.
Mexico reached the quarter‑finals, their best World Cup performance, in 1970 and 1986 – the two previous editions held on home soil.
In every tournament from 1994 to 2018, they were eliminated in the round of 16.
Gerardo Torrado is a Mexican football legend and the sixth most-capped player in El Tri‘s history, having made 147 appearances for his country and played in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
Torrado told Fifa he sees “considerable potential” in Mexico’s team.
“What I see is a solid, balanced team. Aguirre has also involved almost his entire squad, reflecting healthy competition for places and the depth at his disposal,” said Torrado.
“That can make all the difference at the World Cup, given the heavy workload players take on as the tournament progresses.
“Having finished top of the group, Mexico will have the home advantage, which could prove valuable,” he added.
Image source, Getty Images