Mexico rolled into the knockout stage with a 3-1 triumph over “The Firey Ones” of Croatia. Rafael Marquez, Andres Guardado and Javier Hernandez scored within 10 minutes of each other securing that El Tri would advance, eliminating Croatia. “We overcame the first hurdle. We’re happy,” Mexico coach Miguel Herrera said “We’re going to celebrate tonight but tomorrow we have to start thinking of our match with the Netherlands.” The win gives Mexico the #2 spot in the final Group A standings, they would have had to have won by at least 5 goals to jump hosts Brazil. Brazil will play Chile in the first round of the knockout stage and Mexico will face the Netherlands. Rafael Marquez was the first to score when, in the 72nd minute he headed in Hector Herrera’s corner, just 3 minutes later Andres Guardado added a 2nd with a hard, left-footed strike that found the back of the net, and finally in the 82nd minute Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez capped off the scoring for Mexico with a powerful header off of a corner. Croatia added a consolation goal in the 87th minute but it was all over and Mexico marched on.

PREDICTIONS FOR KNOCKOUT STAGE:PART 1 GROUP A vs GROUP B

Brazil vs Chile

Prediction: Brazil wins 4-2 (EXTRA TIME)

Mexico vs Netherlands

Prediction: Mexico wins 2-0