In the big tournament, getting off to a good start is paramount. Win your first game, get your confidence levels up, ease the pressure on the team and just let it roll. Argentina have gone the hard way.The shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in the first match turned the pressure on Lionel Scaloni and his players to the maximum – and the only option is to win tonight against Mexico. It’s not going to be easy – no final game is.Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and the boys have no more tournaments in the future, no second or third chances. No tomorrows – just today. The nation remains firmly behind the national team. They gave Argentina their most significant success in the past 18 years – last year’s triumph in Copa America. The credit is there, but half was spent unexpectedly against the Saudis. Throwback to when Argentina against Mexico went to extra time in the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup. 🇦🇷🇲🇽Then Maxi Rodriguez scored one of the all-time great World Cup goals 😱🎥 @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Es2axvX0pu— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 18, 2022 To get the win they need so badly, Argentina will have to beat Mexico – and their former national coach, fellow Argentine Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino. Scaloni is expected to make four of five changes to the team that produced a meek display the first time out. Messi’s left leg is Scaloni’s primary concern, but it seems that Leo will be one of the three forwards – along with Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria.Manchester United’s defender Lisandro Martinez is now fully fit and could replace Cristian Romero or Nicolas Otamendi as part of Scaloni’s back four. Gonzalo Montiel, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister are also in contention.##NAJAVA_MECA_6843421##Meanwhile, Mexico haven’t showed much in their first match against Poland. They played out a dull goalless draw and could only thank their legendary captain Guillermo Ochoa for saving a penalty from Robert Lewandowski.El Tri also have tradition against them. Having beaten Mexico in the World Cup’s first-ever edition in 1930, the Argies have also eliminated Mexicans twice in the last 16 – in both 2006 and 2010. Mexico haven’t beaten Argentina in their previous ten meetings – dating back all the way to 2004.But wait, this Argentina v Mexico story doesn’t end in Germany 2006. This story has a pretty good sequel….!!Carlitos Tevez made sure to continue Argentine tradition at South Africa 2010. #Argentina #Mexico #WorldCupDraw #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/ffyvlUqJ16— Jose Mesa Corrales (@JoseTableESPN) April 1, 2022 Argentina attacker Lautaro Martinez said they would draw on memories of the iconic Diego Maradona, their 1986 World Cup-winning captain who died two years ago this week, to inspire them against the Mexicans.”We keep him in mind. He was a very important person in world football, and not just for us Argentines. Today is a sad day for everyone and hopefully tomorrow we can give happiness.”The dream is hanging by a thread – but it’s still alive.
