Argentina-Mexico is a match in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup and is played on Saturday at 20:00: odds, predictions, TV and streaming.
An unthinkable scenario on the eve of the World Cup. Indeed it was. Because not even the most pessimistic of fans could have imagined seeing Argentina even at the bottom of Group C after the first day of the round. But football, beyond all possible rhetoric, is a sport that can give truly incredible stories. And Saudi Arabia’s resounding victory over Messi and his teammates – which, moreover, came in a comeback – is something absurd, a football ‘fairy tale’ to tell your grandchildren. The fact is that now Lionel Scaloni’s battleship, one of the main favourites for the final victory, is almost obliged to win against Mexico in order to ward off the prospect of a gigantic flop that would make so much noise. They need the three points to avoid complicating their lives and play it all on the final day with Lewandowski’s Poland.
The feeling, however, is that Scaloni will necessarily have to revise something. In fact, Argentina need more balance between the wards and the choice of deploying a midfield made up of only three quarter-backs, albeit with different characteristics, has not paid off at all. The defeat, perhaps one of the most humiliating in the history of the Seleccion, was in any case a bad blow, which suddenly dampened the enthusiasm that accompanied the Copa America holders, unbeaten for 36 matches (Mancini’s Italy record is intact). Messi, at the end of the match, tried to mitigate the disappointment by saying the team is not happy but at the same time is ready to react.
On the other hand, Mexico will try to replicate the discrete performance offered last Tuesday against Poland. Lozano and his team-mates, led by Argentine Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino – Messi’s former coach at Barça – dominated the game (61% of ball possession) against Lewandowski and his team-mates but failed to score, avoiding a defeat that would have tasted like a mockery thanks to a penalty neutralised by the eternal goalkeeper Ochoa, who hypnotised the Barcelona striker.
Argentina-Mexico: the latest line-up news
Ochoa and Moreno
Scaloni’s main doubts concern the condition of Messi, who is struggling with a problem in his left leg. The Psg phenomenon trained separately on Thursday but he will still lead Argentina’s attack, along with Lautaro Martinez and Di Maria. The coach is likely to change something in midfield, where Brighton midfielder Mac Allister should play instead of Papu Gomez. The aim is to give more substance to a department that appeared too light against Saudi Arabia. In defence, Lisandro Martinez will take over from an inactive Otamendi and on the right side Montiel will challenge Molina. It cannot be ruled out that Dybala, who was left on the bench on Tuesday, could have more space in the match.
Martino will probably start with the same eleven that took the field against Poland. The presence in the centre of attack of Raul Jimenez, who came on in the match in the first outing for the Central American selection, is a question mark. If the Wolverhampton-owned striker were to play from the start, Martin could be the one to pay the price. Lozano is also confirmed, although the Napoli player did not impress on his debut.
The Prediction
Argentina took the blow but will likely be able to redeem themselves in a match where no more mistakes are allowed. It will do so by clinging to all its talent and in all likelihood will get the better of Mexico in a match of at least three goals in total. World Cup precedents, by the way, do not smile on El Tri, who has lost every time he has met the Albiceleste at a World Cup: three defeats out of three.
Argentina-Mexico
line-ups
- ARGENTINA (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister; Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Di Maria.
- MESSICO (4-3-3): Ochoa; Sanchez, Montes, Moreno, Gallardo; Alvarez, Herrera, Chavez; Lozano, Martin, Vega.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
