Following the disappointing defeat to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Emi Martínez and Argentina look to bounce back against Mexico. Here’s how it all unfolded at the Lusail Iconic Stadium…
Emi Martínez made his second successive World Cup start as Lionel Scaloni made five changes to the side that were beaten earlier this week. As Poland defeated Saudi Arabia earlier today, a loss against Mexico would have meant a guaranteed exit for La Albiceleste (The White and Sky Blue).
Howbeit, it was a rather underwhelming first-half. The reaction that Scaloni would have demanded from his players was absent and Lionel Messi’s side had just two attempts all half – Mexico had marginally more with three. Argentina saw far more of the ball with 67% possession, although Gerardo Martino’s team did sit back for large spells, awaiting a counter-attacking opportunity.
Martínez therefore had a relatively quiet opening 45 minutes, but was called into action when Alexis Vega hit a free-kick from 25 yards out; an attempt that the shot-stopper expertly caught.
The second showing was somewhat livelier and there were significantly more efforts at goal. The game was still lacking a spark or a moment of magic, but who better to deliver than Lionel Messi? The No.10 picked the ball up on the edge of the box and superbly stuck it past Guillermo Ochoa and into the side-netting just before the hour mark. 1-0 Argentina.
Argentina doubled their lead in the dying embers, despite a late sense of urgency from the Mexicans. The game finished 2-0 and Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream remains. Villa’s No.1 had very little to do in the second half, bar the occasional claim of a cross. It was a first World Cup clean sheet for the 30 year-old who was delighted with the victory in Lusail – his social media reaction can be seen below:
PLAYER RATING
UP NEXT & WHERE TO WATCH
Argentina play Poland in their final Group C game at Stadium 974 in Doha. This fixture kicks off at 7pm on Wednesday 30th November and will be shown on BBC One from 6:15pm.
The last World Cup meeting between the two sides took place at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito in 1978’s tournament. A brace from Mario Kempes helped the host nation on their way to victory. Following this fixture, Argentina went on to win their first WC title after defeating Netherlands 3-1 in the final.
Can Argentina make it two wins from two in the group and qualify to the knockout stages as they aim to win their third World Cup trophy?
GROUP TABLE
AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive liamayrtondavies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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