World Cup Predictions: Argentina vs Mexico

Argentina will look to bring their World Cup campaign back on track with a much-needed win when they come across Mexico for their second group-stage match.

Saudi Arabia stunned La Albiceleste with a 2-1 win, while Mexico shared the spoils with Poland in a goalless affair.

Argentina saw their unbeaten streak of 36 matches come to an end as they fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their first match of the tournament.

The two-time world champions expectedly took the lead as Lionel Messi converted from the spot early in the first half.

Argentina would send the ball to the back of the net three more times, but all of them got ruled out for offside. Saudi Arabia manager Hervé Renard set up a high defensive line that Argentine attackers struggled to breach without stepping into offside positions.

The Green Falcons came out swinging in the second half, and they turned the tie over its head with a pair of early second-half goals.

Argentina failed to cut the deficit and will step into the pitch on Saturday night as the bottom-placed team in Group C.

Qatar World Cup has already seen a handful of goalless draws and one of them took place at Stadium 974 on Tuesday. Poland and Mexico played out a goalless draw, but the latter will consider themselves lucky to come out of the clash with a point.

Guillermo Ochoa, who has become a part of World Cup folklore for his numerous heroics across many iterations of the tournament, emerged as Mexico’s saviour once again. The veteran shot-stopper kept out Robert Lewandowski’s penalty and made a few more important saves as La Tri snatched away a point from their European opponents.

Mexico will expect a similar level of resilience from Ochoa when they face a desperate Argentina side brimming with world-class attacking talents.

Another draw will keep the door open for Mexico, but Argentina can ill afford to drop further points as they are yet to add any to their name.

Team News

Lionel Messi has been struggling with a left leg problem, but he should be available for selection.

Lautaro Martínez and Ángel Di María will form the rest of the attacking trident. Lisandro Martínez might take the spot of Cristian Romero or Nicolás Otamendi in the starting XI.

Tata Martino might entertain the idea of handing Raúl Jiménez after Mexico’s toothless attacking display against Poland. But the Wolves striker’s lack of game time this season might prompt the former Argentina boss to recall Henry Martín for leading the line.

Our Prediction

Argentina were left shellshocked on Tuesday. But they have enough quality and experience in their squad to bounce back with a win.

The Latin American champions won all of their last four competitive meetings with Mexico.

We expect Argentina to heap misery on the CONCACAF giants once again. It should be a 2-1 win for Argentina.

Date: 27 November

Kickoff Time: 12:30 AM IST

Venue: Lusail Stadium