ZACATECAS (Mexico) — Mexico entered the thick of the race for qualification to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027. On Monday, they stunned Brazil 79-74 at Gimnasio Marcelino Gonzalez in Zacatecas, Mexico, improving their record to 5-3 in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers. It was the Aztecs’ second consecutive win to open the Second Round. They defeated Colombia last Thursday while setting a Qualifiers record with 28 three-pointers, and then closed Window 4 with a victory over Brazil, the ninth-ranked team in the FIBA World Ranking and one of the favorites to claim a spot in Qatar. As a result, Mexico remains in fourth place but is keeping a close eye on second and third place in Group E, currently occupied by the Dominican Republic and Brazil. Both have 6-2 records with four games remaining.
Pako Cruz led all scorers with 24 points, but fouled out on his fifth personal foul. Joseph Avila and Israel Gutierrez then took over, scoring 15 and 14 points respectively. Avila also grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out 3 assists. Moises Andriassi added 7 points, 5 of which came at the most critical moment. With 40 seconds remaining and the score tied at 72, the guard made a pair of free throws to put Mexico ahead, then knocked down a deep three-pointer on the next possession to seal the win. “It was a historic victory. We faced one of the most powerful offenses and held them to 74 points. That is no small feat,” said Mexico head coach Omar Quintero.
Brazil go winless in a window for the first time since 2022
Brazil got off to a rough start in the Second Round of the Qualifiers. On the opening day, they also lost at home to the Dominican Republic. August 2022 was the last time the South Americans suffered consecutive losses in the same window. On that occasion, they lost to Puerto Rico and then to Mexico.
Leo Meindl led Brazil with 21 points and 4 rebounds. Didi Louzada followed with 14 points, including 4 three-pointers, while Raul Neto added 11 points and 7 assists. The two teams will meet again on November 30, although this time the game will be played in Brazil. Beforehand, Brazil will host the United States, while Mexico will travel to face Chile on November 27.
FIBA