World Cup

[monks data]

World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 26, 2022 at 7pm UK

Argentina
2 - 0
Mexico

Messi (64'), Fernandez (87')
Montiel (43')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Araujo (22'), Gutierrez (50'), Herrera (66'), Alvarado (89')

World Cup 2022: Reasons for Argentina to be confident of beating Mexico

By Ben Sully | 25 November 2022

Ahead of Saturday's World Cup game between Argentina and Mexico, Sports Mole looks at the reasons why Argentina will be confident of securing a win.

Argentina will be looking to bounce back from a surprise defeat to Saudi Arabia that leaves their World Cup hopes at risk.

The South Americans took a lead into half time after Lionel Messi scored from the spot, while they also had three goals ruled out for offside, but Saudi Arabia turned the game on its head with two strikes after the interval to pull off an almighty upset.

Lionel Scaloni's side will now turn their attention to their second group game against Mexico, where they will aim to get their World Cup campaign up and running with a victory.

Here, Sports Mole looks at three reasons why Argentina will be confident of claiming their first win of the tournament on Saturday.

Impressive record against Mexico

Argentina's Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring a disallowed goal on November 22, 2022 © Reuters

Argentina may have lost their World Cup opener to Saudi Arabia, but their successful head-to-head record against Mexico will provide cause for optimism.

The South Americans are unbeaten in their last 10 games against El Tri, and their last three meetings have all ended in victory.

In the most recent contest between the two sides, Lautaro Martinez scored a first-half hat-trick to help his country secure a 4-1 victory in a friendly over three years ago, and the Inter Milan forward will have the chance to produce another match-winning display on Saturday.

Argentina have also won all three games that have played against Mexico at the World Cup, and Saturday's game represents the first time that the two sides have met at the tournament since 2010, when the South Americans claimed a 3-1 win thanks to a Carlos Tevez brace and a Gonzalo Higuain strike.

Recent form

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni pictured on November 22, 2022 © Reuters

After losing to Brazil in the 2019 Copa America, Argentina enjoyed a national record 36-game unbeaten run until they were surprisingly beaten by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

While that defeat would have dented confidence, the South Americans can still draw inspiration from their outstanding form over the last three years that helped them win the Copa America in 2021 before they beat European champions Italy in the Finalissima earlier this year.

Before shipping two goals against Saudi Arabia, Argentina had kept 17 clean sheets in 22 games, and they never conceded more than one goal in a single game during that period.

As well as demonstrating the ability to keep their opponent at bay, Scaloni's side have excelled in the final third in 2022, having scored at least two goals in eight of their 11 matches that have been played this year.

Importance of Messi

While Argentina boast a number of top-quality players, the importance of Messi cannot be understated, and he will once again be pivotal for his country when they face Mexico on Saturday.

The Paris-Saint Germain forward has scored in each of Argentina's last five games after opening the scoring from the penalty spot against Saudi Arabia.

He now has the chance to score in six consecutive international games for the second time in his career, while he is also one strike away from moving level with Diego Maradona and Guillermo Stabile as Argentina's joint second-highest scorer at the World Cup with eight goals.

As well as providing a goal threat, Messi can also turn provider, which he has done on a number of occasions for PSG this season where he has racked up 14 assists in 19 appearances.