Argentina has to avoid defeat against Mexico to keep their 2022 FIFA World Cup dreams alive – here is how they line up at the Lusail Stadium.
The South American champions were shocked in their opening game with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia.
But with Herve Renard’s side losing 2-0 to Poland this afternoon, Group C has been blown wide open and an Argentina win would give them revived hope to advance to the knockout round.
Mexico opened up their campaign with a goalless draw against the Polish but showed plenty of promise to suggest they could compound further misery on Messi and co.
His compatriot Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, who coached him nearly a decade ago at FC Barcelona, has, in fact, stated in the pre-match build-up, that they are aiming for their first victory in seven games at the expense of his home country.
The two nations have met 23 times in the past, with La Albiceleste winning 16, the North Americans winning twice, and five stalemates – but Argentina are unbeaten vs Mexico in their last seven contests, winning six.
Argentina XI: Emiliano Martínez; Montiel, Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Acuña; De Paul, Guido, Mac Allister; Messi, Lautaro, Di María.
Mexico XI: Ochoa; K.Álvarez, Araújo, Moreno, Montes, Gallardo; Guardado, Herrera, Chávez; Lozano, Vega.
