Mexico Olympic Soccer: 5 Players That Can Win the Final with Dos Santos Injured

Photo: REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Giovani dos Santos has a hamstring injury and won't play in the gold-medal match. It's an unfortunate event for El Tri, especially since the team will meet Brazil at Wembley Stadium.

However, Fernando Tena has several players that can seal the deal and help Mexico hoist the champion's trophy.

Marco Fabián and Oribe Peralta are just two of the footballers that have proven to have what it takes to lead the team.

Let's find out which players can be the match winners for El Tri.

Héctor Herrera

Photo: Mexsport

After missing the semifinal against Japan due to a suspension for two tournament bookings, Héctor Herrera will be ready to play the gold-medal match.

Herrera, who before the Olympic tournament started was named Best Player of the Toulon Tournament, scored Mexico's fourth goal in extra time in the 4-2 win over Senegal.

The Pachuca midfielder has given a lot of stability and control to El Tri. He keeps the ball and passes it in the right time, plus he can help the defense while under pressure.

Javier Aquino

Photo: AP/Scott Heppell

If you need someone to make runs through the sideline and to unbalance the defense, turn your head to Javier Aquino. 

At age 22 he has already made a difference with his club (Cruz Azul), where he has played since 2010, and has Fernando Tena's trust since the 2011 Copa América, where he played three games.

Later, at the Pan American Games held in Guadalajara, Aquino was a key player and helped Mexico grab the gold medal.

Aquino's speed helps him to pressure the opponent, while his ball control and the way he kicks it allow him the option to shoot or pass, depending on the situation.

Javier Cortés

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This striker has played 17 minutes in the Olympics and he has done it in style. Javier Cortés scored the third goal against Japan in the 93rd minute.

Fernando Tena capped Cortés for the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where he scored against Trinidad and Tobago. He also appeared at the Toulon Tournament held in France.

Javier is a regular starter for Mexican club Pumas despite being only 23 years old. His experience in Mexico's top league set him as one of the players that can handle pressure and deliver results when needed.

Marco Fabián

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He seemed to be absent, but proved us wrong. Marco Fabián scored his first Olympic goal against Japan. 

Before that, he compensated his lack of goal with dangerous runs through the sidelines and passes to his teammates and crosses to the penalty area that Peralta and dos Santos finished with goals.

Fabián has showed us that he is a lot more than just a finisher. The Chivas attacking midfielder also knows how to create plays and supply balls to his teammates.

If Marco keeps the momentum, we will surely see him leading the Mexican offensive against Brazil.

Oribe Peralta

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He is one of Mexico's overage players. Oribe Peralta had a slow start after coming back from an injury suffered at the final match of the Mexican tournament.

However, he managed to pull through and made his first goal against Switzerland when El Tri needed it the most. He repeated the dose in front of Japan and gave his team a one-goal advantage.

Peralta was also capped by Fernando Tena to play last year's Pan American Games, where he became the top scorer (six).

At age 28, Oribe has a powerful long distance shot and he is the kind of player that risks and tries to score with every chance he gets, despite not having the best angle.

He is a lethal striker and by the way he's been playing—from less to more—Peralta can be a nightmare for Brazil.