Mexico vs Qatar prediction: NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA: Gold Cup betting tips on match 2023-07-02 01:00.
After a turbulent few weeks, Mexico are through to their 17th successive CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final, and show no signs of fragility as they seek a record 12th title (including when it was known as the CONCACAF Championship). The Tricolor sacked head coach Diego Cocca just days before the 2023 edition of the tournament got underway, but have won both their group matches so far under the guidance of interim boss Jaime Lozano.
The most recent of those was a 3-1 defeat of Haiti last week, backing up a 4-0 hammering of Honduras to ensure progression to the last eight. Mexico, who lost in the final to the United States two years ago, are now seeking a fourth straight win across all internationals for the first time since July 2021, while also attempting to extend their staggering unbeaten record in group matches at the Gold Cup which stretches back to 2013 (W12, D4).
That does not bode well for opponents Qatar, semi-finalists in their inaugural competition appearance in 2021, who are facing a group-stage elimination unless they pick up a shock win here. Indeed, even a victory might not be enough to secure a quarter-final spot, with the Maroon having picked up just one point from their two matches so far, a 2-1 defeat to Haiti followed by a 1-1 draw with Honduras.
There was plenty of controversy in the latter of those outings, when Qatar felt they should have been awarded a spot-kick for a clear handball in the penalty area. Head coach Carlos Queiroz, who then saw his side concede a 96th-minute equaliser and have Yusuf Abdurisag sent off, subsequently questioned the performance of referee Armando Villarreal as his side were forced to settle for a point, meaning they have won just two of their last 11 official fixtures (D2, L7).
Players to watch: Mexico will be hoping Orbelín Pineda, who scored in the win over Honduras, can find his shooting boots again, as he is unbeaten in the eight internationals in which he has netted (W7, D1). That record might worry Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham, who has picked up only two clean sheets in his last 17 internationals (W4, D4, L9).
Hot stat: Six of Qatar’s last seven official international matches saw both teams score.