Argentina vs Mexico World Cup lineup, Group C match at Qatar 2022
Argentina vs Mexico World Cup: If Argentina is to live up to the pre-tournament hype that heralded them as potential World Cup winners, they will surely have to beat Mexico. Lionel Scaloni’s side found themselves on the wrong end of one of the biggest upsets of the tournament in their opener, losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia.
And just three points will do in their second outing if they are to put an end to early doubts about their hopes of lifting the trophy.
Below are the predicted line-ups for both teams ahead of the clash at Lucille Stadium.
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Argentina vs Mexico Lineup
As they look to get their World Cup campaign back on track, Argentina has made a significant fitness boost to their talisman.
Despite early concerns over a leg injury, Messi is fully fit and will be available to start against Mexico.
But the good news on the physical front should be backed up by an immediate mental recovery, of which coach Scaloni said: “When you’re knocked out you have to get up, and my players have the ability to do that. There are more.
“We won’t change the way we play because of the loss to Saudi Arabia. I might make one or two changes in the selection but not in our system, that’s out of the question.
“This group will leave everything on the field to recover from this heavy blow.”
Argentina is predicted to start at 11.
(4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 4. Montiel, 25. L. Martinez, 19. Otamendi, 3. Tagliafico — 7. De Paul, 5. Paredes, 24. Fernandez — 10. Macy, 22. L. Martinez, 11. De Maria
Injuries: None.
Suspended: None.
Cristian Romero’s recent fitness struggles mean he is likely to withdraw, with Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez the likely candidate to replace him.
Enzo Fernandez could also make his first start of the tournament, with Papo Gomez ruled out.
Mexico is predicted to start on the 11th.
(4-3-3, right to left): 13. Ochoa (GK) — 19. Sanchez, 15. Moreno, 3. Montes, 23. Gallardo — 18. Guardo, 16. Herrera, 24. Chavez — 22. Lozano , 9. Jimenez, 10. Vega
Injuries: None.
Suspended: None.
Gerardo Martino’s big call has come down to whether to bring fit-again striker Raul Jimenez back in for Henry Martin.
Adding the big-game experience of Andres Guardiola in central midfield could also prove attractive to the Mexico coach.
Argentina vs Mexico World Cup Squads
Here are the 26 names in each team’s squad list for the World Cup in Qatar:
Argentina
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 1 | Franco Armani | River Plate (ARG) | 36 | 18 |
| GK | 23 | Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa (ENG) | 30 | 19 |
| GK | 12 | Geronimo Rulli | Villarreal (SPA) | 30 | 4 |
| DEF | 8 | Marcos Acuna | Sevilla (SPA) | 30 | 43 |
| DEF | 2 | Juan Foyth | Villarreal (SPA) | 24 | 16 |
| DEF | 25 | Lisandro Martinez | Man United (ENG) | 24 | 10 |
| DEF | 26 | Nahuel Molina | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 24 | 19 |
| DEF | 4 | Gonzalo Montiel | Sevilla (SPA) | 25 | 19 |
| DEF | 19 | Nicolas Otamendi | Benfica (POR) | 34 | 93 |
| DEF | 6 | German Pezzella | Real Betis (SPA) | 31 | 32 |
| DEF | 13 | Cristian Romero | Tottenham (ENG) | 24 | 12 |
| DEF | 3 | Nicolas Tagliafico | Lyon (FRA) | 30 | 42 |
| MID | 7 | Rodrigo De Paul | Atletico Madrid (SPA) | 28 | 44 |
| MID | 24 | Enzo Fernandez | Benfica (POR) | 21 | 3 |
| MID | 17 | Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez | Sevilla (SPA) | 34 | 15 |
| MID | 20 | Alexis Mac Allister | Brighton (ENG) | 23 | 8 |
| MID | 14 | Exequiel Palacios | Bayer Leverkusen (GER) | 24 | 20 |
| MID | 5 | Leandro Paredes | Juventus (ITA) | 28 | 46 |
| MID | 18 | Guido Rodriguez | Real Betis (SPA) | 28 | 26 |
| FWD | 9 | Julian Alvarez | Man City (ENG) | 22 | 12 |
| FWD | 16 | Thiago Almada** | Atlanta United (USA) | 21 | 1 |
| FWD | 11 | Angel Di Maria | Juventus (ITA) | 34 | 124 |
| FWD | 21 | Paulo Dybala | AS Roma (ITA) | 28 | 34 |
| FWD | 15 | Angel Correa* | Atletico Madrid | 25 | 22 |
| FWD | 22 | Lautaro Martinez | Inter Milan (ITA) | 25 | 40 |
| FWD | 10 | Lionel Messi | PSG (FRA) | 35 | 165 |
