Showcase sport
Argentina vs Mexico (Group C)
12.30 am (Sunday), Al Thumama Stadium

Twelve years and $220 billion within the making, Qatar’s World Cup may finish within the first week itself.

Emi Martinez mentioned it the very best: “Saturday will be our first World Cup final.”

Those eight phrases captured Argentina’s aspiration in addition to desperation. The Albiceleste landed in Doha as agency contender for the title. Now, they danger making a group-stage exit.

Their surprising defeat to Saudi Arabia within the World Cup opener means Saturday’s (12.30 am Sunday, IST) match towards Mexico turns into – because the goalkeeper put it – a digital ultimate. Another exit they usually may as nicely be on the primary flight again house.

The response in Argentina to their beloved crew’s humiliating loss was philosophical greater than being enraged. But because the magnitude of the outcome sunk in, there’s been a extra cold-hearted evaluation of the defeat. They aren’t panicking but however each transfer the 2 Lionels – coach Scaloni and captain Messi – make is being scrutinised.

For occasion, when Messi was late to reemerge from the dressing room after the loss, there have been issues – as Argentine soccer author Marcela Mora y Araujo famous within the Football Weekly podcast – whether or not this was the return of the section the place ‘Messi goes into a dark room alone for many days and nobody knows what he’s considering’. Messi’s relationship along with his nationwide crew has been such – fraught with unhappy moments than happier ones.

#SelecciónMayor Último entrenamiento antes de enfrentar a #México 🇲🇽#TodosJuntos 🤜🤛

📝 https://t.co/IVipZFWTyi pic.twitter.com/TK5NdqUmTg

— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) November 25, 2022

Then, when he once more skilled alone, there have been issues over his health, El Grapfico reported. Those fears had been allayed by Argentina’s crew administration, who launched photographs and movies of Messi coaching.

The different Lionel has additionally been beneath elevated commentary. Scaloni has mentioned he gained’t change his crew’s model as a result of it didn’t work towards Saudi. However, the roles of some gamers – particularly within the defence and midfield – are being questioned.

There are ideas that Scaloni will make a raft of adjustments to his backline towards an opponent that isn’t shy to go on the entrance foot. Cristian Romero may make manner for Lisandro Martinez within the central defence whereas the 2 wing-backs, Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico could possibly be changed by Gonzalo Montiel and Marco Acuna respectively, due to Mexico’s risk from wider positions.

There are calls to bench central midfielders Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul as nicely for being unable to manage the tempo of the match. But the duo has been integral to Scaloni’s plans for the reason that starting and so, it is going to be a shock if the coach drops them.

#SelecciónMayor Último entrenamiento antes de enfrentar a #México 🇲🇽#TodosJuntos 🤜🤛

📝 https://t.co/IVipZFWTyi pic.twitter.com/TK5NdqUmTg

— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) November 25, 2022

Mexico is usually a potential banana pores and skin for Argentina merely due to the best way they play – aggressive going ahead, utilizing flanks and excessive urgent. If Mexico turn out to be a bit of extra cohesive within the ultimate third, it may spell bother for Argentina.

Expect a cracking environment for this match on the Lusail Stadium. When the tickets went on sale for the World Cup, FIFA mentioned this tie had the very best demand among the many followers. And given that there’s a big contingent of followers from each nations in Qatar, the temper must be boisterous.

And as a result of their fates at the moment are intertwined, it’s robust to speak about Argentina with out mentioning their slayers, Saudi Arabia. Their courageous offside entice and excessive defence line labored wonders towards the South Americans, and it’ll be fascinating to see if Herve Renard as soon as once more employs the identical tactic – there isn’t any purpose for him to not.

Although Poland have among the finest strikers on this planet, Robert Lewandowski, they’ve struggled to seek out the again of the web and managed simply six pictures at aim towards Mexico. Their sturdy defence makes up for an underperforming assault line however then Saleh Al Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari aren’t any pushovers. Argentina will testify.

Other fixtures of the day:

Tunisia vs Australia (Group D), 3.30 pm, Al Janoub Stadium

Saudi Arabia vs Poland (Group C), 6.30 pm, Khalifa International Stadium

France vs Denmark (Group D), 9.30 pm, Al Bayt Stadium