Nigeria made a searing impression during the group stage as they took firm control of all three matches, even if they were pegged back late on in their 1-1 draw with Brazil.

Attacking trio Desire Oparanozie, Esther Sunday and Francisca Ordega work excellently together, while further back the Falconets boast a solid defence and a goalkeeper in Ibubele Whyte who has coped admirably with the little work she has been presented with.

That formula might have intimidated Mexico a few days ago, but the El Tri look a different proposition now, having succeeded in combining defensive strength with a clinical edge going forward.

Those qualities helped the North American contenders down Switzerland 2-0 and New Zealand 4-0 after their campaign began with a punishing defeat by Japan.

Mexico forward Sofia Huerta said  “It will be an interesting match because they have qualities we don’t and vice versa. The key will be confidence and intelligence.

They’re a strong and athletic team, so we’ll need to be cleverer to keep up with them. We have to realise that, for Mexico, it’s now or never.”