Mexico possible starting lineup for game 1 of the group stage vs Poland

How will El Tri line-up for the critical Group C clash as they face a Poland side led by Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski.

Ask any Mexico fan of their greatest fear at the 2022 World Cup and they will tell you that losing to the White Eagles is the number one source of anxiety.

Both El Tri and Poland share Group C with Saudi Arabia and Argentina with most anticipating that the Albiceleste will top the group leading to a dogfight for second position and a place in the next round.

Mexico’s strong record of being unbeaten in their World Cup openers  is a statistic any team could fear. They won five and drew one in the  most recent six tournaments, always making it to the knockout stage.

The  last time Mexico failed to find their way past the group stage was back  in 1978 -- when they earned zero points in the group Poland topped.

This, however, is where the pros seem to end for Mexico this time round.

Coach  Gerardo Martino’s side is short in the striker department as, to the  bafflement of Mexico’s fans, the Argentine decided to leave out their  all-time top scorer Javier Hernandez despite his good form this season.

Further  dampening the mood, Mexico lost their last pre-World Cup friendly  against Sweden, conceding a late goal and heading to Qatar last week with many feeling that the Argentine is ill equipped to oversee the national team.

Possible Mexico vs Poland

It’s in attack where Mexico appear to come up short with Wolves striker far from 100% fit following his race against the clock to recover from a long-term deep groin tear. Club America’s Henry Martin failed to shine in the recent warm up games and Monterrey striker Funes Mori is also coming back from a recent injury but as things stand, everything points to the Aguilas striker getting the nod for the clash at Stadium 974.

Guillermo Ochoa; Jorge Sánchez, César Montes, Héctor Moreno, Jesús Gallardo; Edson Álvarez, Héctor Herrera, Luis Chávez; Alexis Vega, Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano and Henry Martín.