Argentina vs Mexico prediction: WORLD: World Cup betting tips on match 2022-11-25 19:00.
Three disallowed goals and a failure to take advantage of a lead saw Argentina lose 2-1 to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, marking one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. That result halted Albicelesteâs 36-match unbeaten run just one short of equalling Italyâs international record, although theyâll have been more disappointed with their start to the tournament, with that just the sixth time that an Argentinian side has lost an opening fixture at the finals.
It was actually the first time it has happened since 1990, but Argentina neednât panic just yet as they went on to be finalists in that same edition! They would have been relieved to see upcoming opponents Mexico draw 0-0 with Poland in the other Group C fixture after manager Lionel Scaloni told press that his players were âin painâ, but victory over Mexico is paramount if they want to avoid a group-stage exit for the first time since 2002.
Mexico may sense danger having lost all three prior World Cup games against Argentina and never tasting victory in any H2H match since July 2004. Still, confidence will be reasonably high in the Mexican camp after they kept a clean sheet for the first time in four competition outings, after Guillermo Ochoa added to his World Cup highlight reel with a penalty save.
Those heroics might be quickly forgotten if Mexico canât reverse their winless trend against the Albiceleste as they aim to make it out of the group stage for the eighth successive time. And with El Tri falling at the round of 16 for seven consecutive World Cup campaigns, coach Gerardo âTataâ Martino knows thereâs a burning desire to progress even past the last 16 in what is known as the fifth game curse (âel quinto partidoâ) back home in football-crazy Mexico, let alone make it out of this group.
Goals will be vital if Martino is to avoid criticism over his exclusion of forwards Javier HernĂĄndez and Carlos Vela, but it could be another resilient start against an ominous-looking Argentinian frontline that is vital for a Mexican side who havenât conceded before half-time in six consecutive matches.
Players to watch: Lionel Messi became the first Argentinian to score at four different World Cups when he netted against Saudi but it also marked the first time since 2009 that his goal came in a defeat for Argentina. HĂ©ctor Herrera may be itching to push Messi closer to the exit door as six of his last seven scoring games for Mexico have arrived in wins.
Hot streak: Mexico havenât conceded before half-time in nine consecutive World Cup matches, although they are winless in their last three (D1, L2)!
World Cup trivia: Mexicoâs Manuel Rosas converted the first-ever penalty in the World Cup, which came against Argentina in 1930.