Is Mexico Brazil’s bogey team?

The conventional wisdom after Brazil’s 3-1 win over Croatia in its World Cup opener, was that the hosts had done the hardest part. They had stood up to the weight of expectation on their shoulders to secure victory over a tough opponent, and Brazil’s remaining group matches could now be approached with equanimity.

Controversy over Brazil’s second goal aside, this conventional wisdom overlooks the fact that its next opponent, Mexico, has one of the best recent head-to-head records against Brazil of any country, dating back to their 4-3 victory in the 1999 Confederations Cup final in the Azteca stadium.

True, Brazil won the most recent encounter, in last year’s edition of the Confederations Cup on home soil. But the Mexicans have won seven of the last 13 full internationals between the two countries, drawing two. And that does not include Mexico’s victory in the final of the London 2012 tournament – officially an Under-23 competition – to deny Brazil one title missing from its collection: an Olympic gold medal.

Not surprising, then, that Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is taking nothing for granted. “The [Mexico] team are warriors,” he told journalists. “They are strong, skillful and well organized and they play a type football we should respect.”

“We know that it's never easy when we play Mexico,” he a said. “It's always very even. Brazil's second goal against them in the Confederations Cup wasn't scored until late in the second half. It's always difficult.”

Mexico had a tortuous route to the 2014 World Cup, using three different coaches and qualifying via a play-off against New Zealand. It only got that far thanks to two late goals by the USA against Panama in the final minutes of Concacaf qualification that reprieved the Mexicans. But under Miguel Herrera they have rediscovered their character and, but for some questionable refereeing, might have scored more than one goal in their opening match against Cameroon.

“El Tri”, as the national team is know, has traditionally dominated its region, most of which is made up of much smaller Central American and Caribbean countries. However, it has struggled when matched against more established opponents at World Cup tournaments, never having progressed beyond the quarter-finals.

"We will insist on all the necessary training, on the necessary respect towards Mexico,” said Scolari before their meeting in Fortaleza. “But we know a victory will put us in a highly comfortable position for the next round, so we'll play with that in mind."

The Brazil forward Hulk will have a late fitness test, with Bernard, Willian and his Chelsea teammate Ramires all potential replacements.

Scolari once described Mexico as like a stone in Brazil’s shoe. Asked about this, back in February, Herrera replied: “We’re hoping to be like a rock, not a stone.”

Postscript: The match ended in a 0-0 draw but all the plaudits went to Mexico. Guillermo Ochoa's performance in goal – including a save that was compared to Gordon Banks's aganst Pelé in 1970 – stole the headlines and generated instant social media celebrity but the Mexican team was well-marshalled throughout by their veteran captain, Rafael Márquez. With a little more of a cutting edge up front might have left Brazilian fans feeling even more downcast than they are following their team's display. Both teams now have four points and stand a good chance of progressing. If they do, Scolari's team will be hoping their paths don't cross again.