Argentina will look to bounce back from their disappointing opening-day loss when they face Mexico at the Lusail Iconic Stadium this Saturday.
Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)
Key Statistics
Argentina have lost just one of their last 37 games.
They have conceded more than one goal a game just once in the last 24 games.
Mexico have kept 12 clean sheets in their past 20 matches.
They have kept just one clean sheet in their last four World Cup games.
Mexico haven’t conceded before half-time in nine consecutive World Cup matches, although they are winless in their last three (D1, L2).
Head to head
Mexico have lost all three prior World Cup games against Argentina and never tasted victory in any H2H match since July 2004.
Latest performances in all competitions
Argentina: L-W-W-W-W
Mexico: D-L-W-L-W
Argentina
Argentina will look to avenge their shock opening match loss to Saudi Arabia when they face Mexico on Saturday.
Lionel Messi’s side were beaten 2-1 by the Middle-Eastern side last Tuesday despite going ahead within 10 minutes thanks to a Lionel Messi penalty. Two second-half goals by the Gulf nation earned them the win and put a stop to Argentina’s 36-game unbeaten run.
The loss was just the sixth time an Argentinian side lost an opening fixture at the finals. It was actually the first time it has happened since 1990, but Argentina would not have to panic just yet as they went on to be finalists in that same edition.
Even more recently, the 2010 World Cup winners also lost their first game before winning the trophy in South Africa. And so, the South American side still have a chance, especially as upcoming opponents Mexico drew 0-0 with Poland in the other Group C fixture.
Manager Lionel Scaloni told the press that his players were “in pain” after their loss, but victory over Mexico is paramount if they want to avoid a group-stage exit for the first time since 2002.
Possible Argentina starting line-up
Emiliano Martinez, Nahuel Molina Lucero, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Alejandro Dario Gomez, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Javier Martinez.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Mexico
Mexico had Guillermo Ochoa to thank for taking a point from their first game in the World Cup against Poland.
The veteran goalkeeper saved Robert Lewandowski‘s penalty to give his side their first clean sheet in four World Cup games.
However, those heroics might be quickly forgotten if Mexico can’t reverse their winless trend against the Albiceleste as they aim to make it out of the group stage for the eighth successive time.
And with El Tri falling at the Round of 16 for seven consecutive World Cup campaigns, coach Gerardo’ Tata’ Martino knows there’s a burning desire to progress even past the last 16.
So, they will be desperate to win this game and give themselves the chance of being in the reckoning for a place in the next Round when they face Saudi Arabia in the last group game next week.
Possible Mexico starting line-up
Guillermo Ochoa, Jorge Sánchez, Héctor Moreno, Cesar Montes, Jesús Gallardo, Edson Álvarez, Luis Chávez, Hector Herrera, Hirving Lozano, Henry Martín, Ernesto Alexis Vega.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Odds
| Argentina to win | Draw | Mexico to win | |
| Odds | 1.53 | 4.00 | 6.50 |
| Probability (%) | 62 | 24 | 15 |
Prediction
Argentina 2-0 Mexico
Live Stream
For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream
