Mexico put five past Serbia tonight, conceding only the one, and the margin was wide enough to call it a statement rather than a tune-up. It is the kind of result that quiets the doubt one carries into a tournament, or at least lets a man pretend it has. Whether five goals against friendly opposition means anything come the eleventh is a question the group stage will answer plainly enough. Still, I will take the optimism while it is on offer. As ready as we are going to be, and the waiting is nearly done.