Argentina vs Mexico Preview

The first game is in the books and the result was a bittersweet one, yes Ochoa did something amazing, denying Lewandowski his first goal in a World Cup, but Mexico dominated the entire match and couldn’t take advantage of their superiority, they should have won, lack of scoring is still a concern going forward but the feeling is positive after showing improvements from previous games. 

Now El Tri has a date with destiny they are facing their arch nemesis Argentina, a team that has eliminated Mexico every single time they have played in a major tournament, from the Copa America Final in 1993, to that amazing volley in extra time from Maxi Rodríguez in Germany 2006, Argentina always has the upper hand, but Mexico has a one in a lifetime opportunity to send Argentina home and end Messi’s chances of ever winning a World Cup for good. The high stakes and previous history has intensified an already fierce rivalry that has resulted in violence among Mexican and Argentine fans during the week, so the atmosphere at the stadium will be tense, to say the least. 

Argentina will face this test after a surprising loss against a brave Saudi Arabia, they must win otherwise they will not depend on themselves. 

Key Factors

México

*Play with Argentina’s urgency if you can go at half 0-0, the pressure Argentina will have, will force them to make mistakes that Mexico can take advantage of. 

*Fight for possession, Argentina is accustomed to having the ball, if you take it away from them they don’t have the physicality to play a more direct game. 

*Be extremely physical with Messi, we all saw what happened when Saudi Arabia was physical with him, he struggled, and México should do the same. 

Argentina

*Forget quickly, what happened with Saudi Arabia was a one-in-a-thousand accident, you can’t let that affect you. 

*Have the ball and put pressure on Mexico’s full-backs, El Tri has a hard time defending the wings, and Argentina has the personnel to do that. 

*Be more solid defensively, Saudi Arabia had three shots the entire game with 2 goals, the center backs played badly, they need to fix that, or Lozano and Vega will make them pay. 

México Possible XI 

Goalkeeper: Guillermo Ochoa 

Center Back: Néstor Araujo 

Center Back: Cesar Montes 

Center Back: Héctor Moreno 

Right Wing Back: Kevin Alvarez 

Left Wing Back: Jesus Gallardo 

Central Midfielder: Héctor Herrera 

Interior: Andres Guardado 

Interior: Luis Chávez 

Striker: Alexis Vega 

Striker: Hirving Lozano

Argentina possible XI 

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez 

Right Back: Gonzalo Montiel 

Center Back: Cesar Romero 

Center Back: Nicolás Otamendi 

Left Back: Marcos Acuña 

Central Midfielder: Leandro Paredes 

Interior: Rodrigo De Paul 

Interior: Enzo Fernández 

Right Winger: Lionel Messi 

Left Winger: Angel Di María 

Striker: Lautaro Martinez 

México can do something historic this Saturday, get vengeance for every heartbreaking loss Argentina has given to them and ruin Lionel Messi’s last chance of winning a World Cup. It’s a make-or-break moment for Mexican football, the chances of el “Quinto Partido” will increase dramatically with a win. 

Glory awaits if you can beat Goliath.