World Cup Corner

Saturday, September 3, Columbus, Ohio, United States vs. Mexico, 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany.

This is the big one in North, Central America and the Caribbean – the intriguing trans-Rio Grande ‘clasico’. Undefeated Mexico – with the best scorer in Germany 2006 qualifying – are perched atop the final-round table imperiously with 16 points. But with enhanced pedigree and an increasingly respectable reputation, second-placed USA, only one point behind, will in no way be overawed by their neighbours to the south when the sides meet in Columbus, Ohio.

The southerners will be bolstered by the memory of their 2-1 victory over the US in March at the Azteca and confidence should be high after Jared Borgetti set the table for a 2-0 win over Costa Rica on their last matchday. The Americans, on the other hand, will be doing their all to banish visions of their unconvincing last outing - a gun-shy 1-0 win over minnows Trinidad and Tobago at home in Hartford. Though the outcome remains a mystery, one thing is certain: the biggest rivalry in CONCACAF will be full of colour, passion, nerves and enmity. Throw in the fact that the winner will become the first automatic qualifier from the region, and the action is bound to be fast and furious.

Read the full head-2-head preview on FIFAworldcup.com.