The Other Mexican World Cup Curse.

Much has been made about Mexico’s Round of 16 Curse following their loss to Brazil in their Round of 16 clash during this World Cup.  However, many are not aware of another Mexico World Cup curse which has already claimed its victim.

Mexico has failed to advance to the “Octavos”, the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup in consecutive World Cups dating to 1994. Mexico has only reached the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup twice, in 1970 and in 1986 which was when Mexico were the hosts. This curse has spanned over three decades now. However, it appears many are not aware of another curse attached to Mexico and the World Cup. Every single team that has knocked out Mexico in the Round of 16 since World Cup 1994 has never gone on to lift the World Cup trophy.  

In 1994, Bulgaria eliminated Mexico in the Round of 16 stage and fell to Italy in the Semi-Finals. In 1998, Germany scored two unanswered goals to defeat Mexico 2-1 in their Round of 16 clash, only to fall to Croatia in the next round. In 2002, USA defeated Mexico 2-0 in the Round of 16 and then fell to Germany in the next round.  In 2006, Argentina defeated Mexico 2-1 in a thrilling Round of 16 encounter and then Argentina fell to Germany in the next round. In 2010, Argentina once again defeated Mexico 3-1 in their Round of 16 clash and then also fell to Germany in the next round. In 2014, Holland defeated Mexico 2-1 in the Round of 16 stage in dubious fashion before the Dutch fell to Argentina in the Semi-Finals.

Well, Brazil defeated Mexico 2-0 in this year’s Round of 16 clash and then bid farewell after their 2-1 defeat to Belgium yesterday in the Quarter-Finals. The curse of eliminating Mexico at this stage continues and this curse also applies to those who have eliminated Mexico in the Quarter-Finals too. In 1970, Mexico were defeated by Italy 4-1 and then lost to the great Brazil by the same score in the Final. In 1986, Mexico played West Germany to a scoreless draw before succumbing to their opponents in the a penalty shootout, and the West Germans fell to Argentina in the Final.

Perhaps countries may want to practice some black magic to avoid meeting Mexico in future World Cup knockout stages. The same holds true for teams grouped with Mexico at the group stage. Mexico have qualified for the World Cup sixteen times. Only two nations have won the World Cup after facing Mexico at the Group Stage; Brazil in 1962 and England in 1966. Sweden's elimination today just confirms the consequences of facing Mexico during the World Cup. Ultimately, you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t when it comes to facing Mexico in the World Cup.

The World Cup Curse of Mexico:

1970: Mexico eliminated by Italy in Quarterfinals – Italy lost to Brazil in the Final.

1986: Mexico eliminated by West Germany in Quarterfinals – West Germany lost to Argentina in the Final.

1994: Mexico eliminated by Bulgaria in Round of 16 – Bulgaria lost to Italy in the Semi-Finals.

1998: Mexico eliminated by Germany in Round of 16 – Germany lost to Croatia in the Quarter-Finals.

2002: Mexico eliminated by USA in Round of 16 – USA lost to Germany in the Quarter-Finals.

2006: Mexico eliminated by Argentina in Round of 16 – Argentina lost to Germany in the Quarter-Finals.

2010: Mexico eliminated by Argentina in Round of 16 – Argentina lost to Germany in the Quarter-Finals.

2014: Mexico eliminated by Holland in Round of 16 – Holland lost to Argentina in Semi-Finals

2018: Mexico eliminated by Brazil in Round of 16 – Brazil lost to Belgium in Quarter-Finals.

Mexico’s World Cup Groups

1930: Mexico  Argentina Chile France.

1950: Mexico Brazil Yugoslavia Switzerland.

1954: Mexico Brazil Yugoslavia Switzerland.

1958: Mexico Sweden Wales Hungary.

1962: Mexico, Brazil* Spain Czechoslovakia.

1966: Mexico England* Uruguay France.

1970: Mexico USSR Belgium El Salvador.

1978: Mexico West Germany Poland Tunisia.

1986: Mexico Belgium Iraq Paraguay.

1994: Mexico Italy Ireland Norway.

1998: Mexico Holland Belgium South Korea.

2002: Mexico Italy Croatia Ecuador.

2006: Mexico Portugal Iran Angola.

2010: Mexico Uruguay France South Africa.

2014: Mexico Brazil Croatia Cameroon.

2018: Mexico German Sweden South Korea.

History does not favor Del Bosque and La Roja

Spain punched their ticket to the 2014 World Cup a few days ago where they will get to play against the best of the world for the World Cup. This also means that Vicente Del Bosque will also get the rare chance to manage his team to a second consecutive World Cup crown. However, the odds are against Del Bosque as he faces an onerous challenge to do where others have failed before him.

Del Bosque and Spain have a tall task ahead of them. The last team to repeat as World Cup champions were Brazil back in 1958 and 1962. A few teams have appeared in consecutive finals but failed to win both times. Argentina back in 1986 and 1990 along with Brazil 1994 and 1998 come to mind. Both teams failed to repeat with Argentina under the helm of the same manager while Brazil had a different manager in their second final.

Carlos Bilardo was the man who helped guide Argentina to their second World Cup title back in 1986 against Germany. He did not step down following that glorious moment for himself and his country, and four years later, his team made it to the World Cup final where they faced Germany yet again. In what was one of the most forgettable finals ever, Germany defeated Argentina to dash Argentina’s hopes of repeating as champions.

Brazil won their fourth World Cup crown back in 1994 and were back in the final four years later in 1998. Carlos Alberto Parreira was the man who steered Brazil to success in 1994 but would coach Saudi Arabia for the 1998 edition. Instead, it was Mário Zagallo, who actually was part of the 1958 and 1962 Brazil teams, that steered his side to the World Cup final before falling to the hosts, France. Parreira did get another shot at winning it with Brazil in 2006 but that team came up short.

More recently, Marcello Lippi attempted to guide the Italian national team to a second consecutive World Cup final, following their World Cup triumph in 2006. However, Lippi and Italy would also fail in repeating as champions as they could not even advance from the group stages. All three countries saw their attempts at repeating come up just short or crash and burn, and Del Bosque can afford to learn from those three managerial counterparts.

If there is anything you can criticize Del Bosque for, it could be on his reliance on the old guard. Many thought he should have dropped Fernando Torres after World Cup 2010 but there he was scoring in another European final two years later and participating in last summer’s Confederations Cup as well. Many believed that Del Bosque should have used the Confederations Cup to test his younger players and not subject his veterans to another busy summer.  Surely that was the downfall of Lippi when his faith in the old guard, while disregarding young talent, did not pan out four years after winning their  World Cup.

Thus, Del Bosque will have to think hard about which players he will take to Brazil this summer. Does he stick with David Villa and Torres, or move on and put his hopes on the likes of Negredo and Michu? Will he use Cesc more often than Xavi and will he start César Azpilicueta over Arbeloa? It is a fine line between depending on veterans and over relying on them. Many believe Parreira made a grave mistake after he opted to go with the veterans in World Cup 2006 and not with the young players that participated and won the Confederations Cup the previous summer.

Furthermore, Del Bosque also has to be worried about fatigue and compliance. For some of his men, this will be their second World Cup, and sixth tournament if you count Confederations Cups as major tournaments. That is a lot of wear and tear on those players who have been representing club and country in over 70 matches a year. Will they have the energy to compete for another World Cup title?

Better yet, are they still hungry for another World Cup crown? Bilardo’s Argentina  were lively and threatening in 1986 but appeared bloated and lethargic four years later. We saw recently how Real Madrid came out flat after winning the league title under Mourinho while Barça fans still recall how their team under Rijkaard became complacent after winning the Champions League. The feeling of working hard and finally achieving the goal you have long strived for is rather unique and irreplaceable. It is also much more difficult to duplicate that motivation after you had already tasted success. Can Del Bosque take some comfort that the sting from Spain’s 3-0 loss to Brazil in the Confederation Cup Final could provide him with players hell bent on revenge?

The World Cup is 236 days away. That’s plenty of time for Del Bosque to decide on what path will he take. Will he avoid making the same mistakes that other managers have made in the past and select younger players who have not featured for Spain and are hungry to duplicate the same success that their idols have attained? Many envy to be in the position of Del Bosque however, I see it as a daunting position to be given the task that many have failed to overcome. History is against him but perhaps Del Bosque can learn from where others have failed and perhaps make Spain can surprise us once again.

After retiring, Ronaldo’s status as a Barça legend is debatable.