Rafael Marquez v Samuel Eto'o

Former Barcelona centre-back Marquez, who will be captaining Mexico at a record fourth World Cup, will have his hands full against the wily (old) fox-in-the-box that is Eto’o. Cameroon, meanwhile, will look to their striker for inspiration in their opening game as they try and advance from a difficult group.

 Doing battle: Mexico's Rafael Marquez will be tasked with dealing with Cameroon's Samuel Eto’o

 Oribe Peralta (Mexico)

With eight goals in his last six competitive appearances for el Tricolor, Peralta will spearhead Mexico’s attack in Brazil. Miguel Herrera’s side have Peralta to thank for getting them this far, after he scored five times in the 9-3 aggregate play-off win over New Zealand.

Oribe Peralta is one of Mexico's key men

Opta stats

• Mexico have lost more games than any other team at World Cup Finals (24).
• Samuel Eto’o has been directly involved in Cameroon’s last four World Cup goals (three goals, one assist).
• Cameroon have only won one of their last 13 World Cup games (1-0 v Saudi Arabia in 2002), drawing four and losing eight.
• No Cameroon player scored more than two goals in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers (Eric Choupo-Moting, Samuel Eto’o & Jean II Makoun).
• This is only the second ever meeting between these two countries; Mexico won the first clash 1-0 in a friendly in 1993.
• Mexico boss Miguel Herrera has only taken charge of his country in two competitive games; the World Cup play-offs against New Zealand (9-3 on aggregate).
• Cameroon’s 17 previous World Cup goals have all been scored from inside the area (15 from open play, two penalties).
• Mexico have never beaten at African team at a World Cup Finals tournament, losing one and drawing two of their three meetings against sides from that continent so far.

Ready to surprise: Cameroon have a tough task to match their quarter-final in Italia 90