Tata Martino Mexico SwedenGetty Images

Mexico manager Martino is 90 minutes away from being sacked - here's how he should try to save his job vs Saudi Arabia

Tex-Mex. Americans trying to pronounce their city names. And now, Gerardo "Tata" Martino's managerial regime that has brought shame to El Tri at the World Cup.

These are among the core hatreds of many people in Mexico, with the latter gripe potentially vaulting to the top of the list by the end of the week. That's how bad things have gotten under Martino.

Mexico enter their third Group C match, against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, needing to win and get help elsewhere to advance to the knockout stage. Specifically, they must win and either see Poland defeat Argentina or have Argentina defeat or draw Poland while El Tri secure a superior goal differential.

If Mexico don't advance, it would be a failure not witnessed since 1978. If they also fail to score against Saudi Arabia (they've not scored in four consecutive World Cup outings, dating back to 2018), it would be the first time in the nation's history that they've failed to find the net at the tournament.

All bleak, but maybe there's a miracle in store? In some respects, Martino is limited by the squad he's chosen and the tactics he's drilled into the team since being appointed in 2019. But there are also choices he can make to best position himself to still be employed when the weekend arrives.

Let's take a look at the line-up that could best suit Mexico against Saudi Arabia:

Article continues below