Croatia will face Mexico on Monday in a Group A clash that may decide which side will get a place in the last 16.

The match should be one of the most exciting games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup's first phase. Both teams are well-versed "in fluid, attacking football," the Bleacher Report reported.

CLICK HERE to watch the game online via WatchESPN. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, but coverage will begin at 3 p.m.

After keeping Brazil to a goalless draw, Mexico comes into this match only needing a draw to advance. If Croatia, the team that dismantled Cameroon 4-0 on Wednesday, wins this match they will advance to the knockout round.

"We're not going to think about a draw. Our intentions are to win. If you think going into the game you're going to draw, you're most likely just going to lose," Mexico head coach Miguel Herrera is quoted as saying by Eurosport. "Croatia have to win, so we're going to go out there and defend, and take advantage of the spaces that they're going to leave open because they're attacking. If we draw, then great, we advance. But the idea is to look for a win."

The sides have squared up on three previous occasions and Croatia lead the head-to-head series by two victories to one. However, both of the Europeans' victories were in friendly matches, whereas Mexico won the only competitive fixture, 1-0 in the 2002 World Cup courtesy of a penalty from Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

History is on Mexico's side as their team has made the knockout phases of their last five World Cups, while Croatia hasn't done so "since their maiden appearance in 1998," Eurosport reported. Mexico has also been one of the World Cup tournament's great surprises.

"The match against Mexico will be like a final," Croatia boss Niko Kovac told Croatian television station HTV, via FIFA.com. "We have to get some rest, because a serious opponent awaits. Mexico are strong, but so are we."

The match will take place at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil.