Torrado: France don't scare us
JOHANNESBURG - The household names in the France side, World Cup runners-up in 2006, hold no fears for Mexico ahead of a Group A clash the confident Mexicans must win when they meet on Thursday, said midfielder Gerardo Torrado.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wXhSATg2mReCUxgj3tjYY7.jpg)
"We have to get a result. We have to look to win against France," Torrado said of the 1998 World Cup winners whose squad includes the likes of Franck Ribery and Thierry Henry.
"At the end of the day, we're not playing against their stars, we're playing 11 against 11. We have to be warriors," he told a news conference on Monday.
Mexico were slick in attack but sloppy in front of goal in their 1-1 draw with hosts South Africa in the tournament's opening match on Friday.
That result, and France's subsequent 0-0 draw with Uruguay, has left the group wide open and has put even greater emphasis on Mexico's clash with the French in Polokwane.
Torrado dismissed talk that the importance of the match would have Mexican nerves jangling and said the mood in the camp was very good.
"It's a World Cup so the pressure is always there but there's no problem in the squad," the 115-cap midfield enforcer added at the team hotel outside Johannesburg.
Team mate Carlos Vela, part of the Mexicans goal-shy forward line, was similarly positive.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"We know we have a good team and we can win against France. We'll come out looking to win," he said before rushing off to catch the team bus heading to training.
"I've got to work otherwise I won't score," a smiling Vela said as he dashed out of the room.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack