Clash of comeback kings at Montpellier

The Mexicans made sure of their place in the last 16 after coming back from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw with Holland after an injury time goal from striker Luis Hernandez.

In all three of their Group E games Mexico needed to bounce back from behind.The Germans also have a reputation for never giving up. The European champions have already proved that in France by battling back from 2-0 down to earn a draw against a dangerous Yugoslav team in their second group F match.

Despite being one of the oldest teams in the competition with an average age of nearly 30, Vogts’s team have shown superb stamina. “Mexico cameback to 2-2 against the Dutch and we have been warned,” Vogts said.

Libero Lothar Matthaeus added: “They can play and we will have to get among them. We are going to have to concentrate hard for 95 minutes or so until the referee blows the final whistle.”

Mexico have beaten the Germans only once in their eight clashes since 1968. The last time the two countries met in the World Cup was in the 1986 quarter-finals in Mexico where Germany just scraped through after a penalty shoot-out. Matthaeus, 37, is the only player left in the German team who played that day.

The Germans are expected to start the match with the same team that began the second half against Iran last Thursday with Matthaeus at Libero and Thomas Haessler as the attacking mid-fielder alongside Thomas Helmer and Dietmar Hamann.

The mood in the Mexican camp has been positive in the last few days. After being criticised at home, Lapuente has seemed relaxed now he has got his team into the last 16 for the first time at a World Cup held inEurope.With Ramon Ramirez suspended for two games after a red card against the Dutch, the Mexicans could bring in 35-year-old Jaime Ordiales to play in midfield alongside German Villa and Alberto Garcia Aspe.