Argentina vs Mexico
- Argentina looking to rebound from shocking loss to Saudi Arabia.
- The 2-1 defeat ended Argentina’s 36-game unbeaten run.
- Mexico playing in their eighth consecutive World Cup.
- Mexico drew 0-0 with Poland in their World Cup opener.
Argentina starting XI announced
Argentina XI: Emiliano Martinez, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Marcos Acuña, Rodrigo De Paul, Guido Rodríguez, Ángel Di María, Lionel Messi, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez
Mexico starting XI announced
Mexico XI: Guillermo Ochoa, Héctor Moreno, Néstor Araujo, César Montes, Jesús Gallardo, Luis Chávez, Andrés Guardado, Héctor Herrera, Kevin Álvarez, Alexis Vega, Hirving Lozano
Mexican players to watch
Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa dominated the news after pulling off a penalty save on Robert Lewandowski in the previous match.
He will once again be tasked to put up a wall against an Argentinian attack who will be looking to pepper his end as much as possible.
Hirving Lozano and Alexis Vega will also look to keep their connection strong as they failed to make any inroads the last time around.
Argentinian players to keep an eye on
It would be almost too lazy to highlight Lionel Messi in this section. So instead, lets shift focus to his partner up front, Lautaro Martinez.
The young Inter Milan forward has been raking it in for the club over the past few years, where so far this season he has managed eight goals in 21 appearances.
If he can replicate some of that form today, he could be a potential breakout star in the making.
First Half
Great atmosphere
There’s something about Latin American football supporters. The sound levels are just falling short of blowing the roof off Lusail Stadium!
This was not the case at the England vs USA match yesterday, but there was certainly a rambunctious atmosphere for the Brazil match earlier this week.
Kick-off!
The national anthems have been heard and the players are ready.
El Tri will kick it off going right to left on your screens.
Argentina will use their customary 4-4-2 formation, while Mexico elects to go in with a more defensive 5-3-2 scheme.
1 minute: Argentina 0-0 Mexico
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Messi the icon
Both teams slowing it down
After the frenetic pace of the first 20 minutes or so, both sides seem content to gather themselves and look for any incisive routes to goal.
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There is the occasional burst of action from either side, but it has definitely tapered off in comparison with the initial stages of the match.
32 mins: Argentina 0-0 Mexico
Fans thinking:
We’re still nil-nil with 38 minutes on the clock, but according to ”Aljazeera – Twitter”followers thinks would win this match?
Mexico struggling to get out of their half
Argentina continue to send waves upon waves of attack, but Mexico have been resolute in their defence.
They will hope they can hold out as we wind down this first half.
40 mins: Argentina 0-0 Mexico
Halftime
As the first half draws towards its conclusion, neither set of fans is letting their guard down. Every touch of the ball, and every successful tackle is cheered by supporters on either side, while huge groans are heard when an opportunity goes begging.
Second half begins
Both sides are out on the pitch and ready to do battle once more.
Argentina dominated the stats in the first half. They had 68 percent possession and completed 285 passes, more than double the number completed by Mexico.
Goes to show you its not about keeping the ball that counts, it is what you do with it.
46 mins: Argentina 0-0 Mexico
GOAL!
Messi scores!
After appearing like their efforts were just not paying off, the Argentinian talisman comes to the party, and how!
He receives the ball outside of the box and sends in a prospective shot which beats Ochoa’s dive as it nestles into the bottom right corner.
Lusail Stadium explodes as the fans are treated to a very special moment.
64 mins: Argentina 1-0 Mexico
GOAL!
Enzo Fernandez with a beauty!
From an Argentinian corner won on the left side, Messi passes it off to the nearby player who then finds Fernandez.
Fernandez is able to slalom himself towards the top left of the box before unleashing a strike of some quality which curls into the top right of the goal.
Sensational stuff from the youngster as Argentina by all accounts have ended Mexico’s chance at a comeback.
87 mins: Argentina 2-0 Mexico
Six minutes of added time
On the stroke of the 90th minute and the fourth official has signalled for six additional minutes.
90+1 mins: Argentina 2-0 Mexico
Full-time: Argentina 2-0 Mexico
Mission accomplished for Argentina as the referee blows the whistle.
After enduring a tough opening loss against Saudi Arabia, Argentina have come back admirably to beat Mexico 2-0 at Lusail Stadium.
? Who else? Lionel Messi
With a goal and a recording breaking assist, Lionel Messi etches his name in the history books once again.
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