Argentina and Mexico face off on Saturday in a World Cup Group C soccer showdown at Lusail Stadium. There is a ton of pressure on both teams in this game to pick up the three points.
Mexico comes into this game sitting in third place in the group, having picked up one point. Mexico opened up the World Cup against Poland, and the game ended in a 0-0 draw. Mexico had 61 percent of the possession and four shots on target, but it still wasn’t enough. Memo Ochoa saved a penalty kick, and allowed Mexico to secure a draw. Raul Jimenez seemed to be close to full fitness and there is a chance that he could get the start in this game. In the first game, Mexico didn’t get a ton of quality scoring chances, and that is going to need to be a lot better here. This is a team that Mexico needs three points, and I would expect them to push the numbers forward.
On the other side of this matchup is Argentina, who sits in 4th place in the group having picked up zero points. Argentina is a team that has dreams of winning the World Cup, but in the first game they were shocked. Argentina’s defense gave up two goals to Saudi Arabia, and they were defeated by a goal. Lionel Messi scored in the 10th minute to open the scoring, but the defense had some lapses. Argentina had 70 percent of the possession and six shots on target. Lionel Messi again trained by himself on Thursday, but it’s expected that he’s going to be able to play in this game. Lisandro Martínez came off the bench in the last game, but it’s expected that he could get the start in this game.
Argentina was embarrassed in the first game, but I expect a lot better showing from them here. I think Mexico’s offense is again going to be an issue, and they are going to fail to score again. Argentina has too much offensive talent to be shutout, even with a good goalkeeper in Memo Ochoa for Mexico. Look for Argentina to score a goal or two, and they are going to secure the victory here.