Neighbours ready for showdown

Borgetti has scored twice in three games for Mexico

Mexico v USA | Second round
Jeonju | Mon 17 June | 07.30 BST
BBC One/Radio Five Live

Mexico and the United States are ready to meet in the World Cup with a quarter-final place - and the small matter of local pride - at stake.

The match has captured the imagination of many in the US, despite the nation's traditional apathy towards football.

Even President George W Bush has apparently caught the "soccer bug".

USA predict close contest

He called Mexican leader Vicente Fox on Sunday to congratulate Mexico for advancing in the World Cup.

And Bush's message was simple: "May the best team win," he said.

The two leaders are close friends and regional allies - but the match takes place amid an intense rivalry for North American supremacy in football.

Borgetti leads charge

Mexico's Jared Borgetti is hoping his World Cup goalscoring run continues in Jeonju on Monday.

Showdown splits families

Borgetti has carried his club success at Santos Laguna to the World Cup, scoring two goals in three games, one of them a spectacular header in the team's 1-1 draw with Italy.

"I hope it continues against the United States," he said.

"Each goal motivates you, it gives you confidence. It's going to be difficult, but we've got to create a lot of scoring opportunities."

Our concentration and our agility will be the key

Cuauhtemoc Blanco
Mexican striker

Borgetti and fellow striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco will spearhead the Mexican attack as the two teams battle to determine who will face Germany in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Blanco offered praise for the Americans, who have already improved on their last-place finish in France four years ago.

He said: "They've really developed and they have good speed. Our concentration and our agility will be the key."

Mexico will be looking to avenge a 1-0 loss to their long-time rivals in April - but coach Javier Aguirre said that result will have little impact on Monday's match.

Aguirre is expecting a hard-fought match

"Although they beat us the last time we played, I don't see either team having a clear advantage," he said.

"This a new phase: both teams have advanced to the second round and are on equal footing."

Mexico qualified for the second stage with two wins and a draw, beating Croatia 1-0 and Ecuador 2-1 before giving up a late goal against Italy.

The US meanwhile survived Group D with a superb opening 3-1 win against Portugal, a 1-1 draw with co-hosts South Korea and a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Poland.

Aguire said: "The Americans will come out strong. Now that neither team is playing for points but for goals, it will be a very hard-fought match.

"Mexico will have to continue doing what it has done so far in the tournament: control the ball, distribute it well, basically play our game."