The 2021 Gold Cup group stage is coming to an end but there's still plenty to play for before the knockout rounds. Mexico and El Salvador will square off on Sunday, July 18, with the top spot of Group A on the line.
El Tri have secured a place in the quarterfinals last Wednesday when they put three past Guatemala to grab their first win in the tournament. Gerardo Martino's side, however, has unfinished business as it is currently second in the group.
La Selecta, meanwhile, have also booked a spot in the next round thanks to their impressive start to the 2021 Gold Cup. Hugo Pérez's boys made it two wins from two and are currently atop the zone. Will they resist Mexico's strength to seal the first seed?
Mexico confirmed starting XI
Gerardo Martino has had to deal with a massive blow as Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano was ruled out for the remainder of the 2021 Gold Cup. Orbelín Pineda, however, was up to the challenge as he scored in El Tri's 3-0 win over Guatemala.
Meanwhile, Rogelio Funes Mori has rewarded the coach's confidence on him with a brilliant performance and a brace. Martino wouldn't make changes to the lineup, so this will be Mexico's lineup: Alfredo Talavera; Luis Rodriguez, Héctor Moreno, Carlos Salcedo, Jesús Gallardo; Héctor Herrera, Edson Alvarez, Erick Gutiérrez; Orbelín Pineda, Rogelio Funes Mori, Jesús Corona.
El Salvador confirmed lineup
El Salvador arrive at the final matchday of Group A in a completely comfortable spot after winning their first two games in the competition. Last Wednesday, La Selecta beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 with a convincing performance.
Hugo Pérez, therefore, wouldn't make any modifications to the lineup either. This is how El Salvador would line up to face Mexico: Mario González; Eriq Zavaleta, Ronald Gómez, Alexander Larín, Alexander Roldán; Narciso Orellana, Darwin Cerén, Marvin Monterroza; Joshua Pérez, Joaquín Rivas, Jairo Henríquez.
