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Argentina needs an accelerated repair on the brink of the abyss

Argentina needs an accelerated repair on the brink of the abyss.

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Argentina needs an accelerated repair on the brink of the abyss

Argentina needs an accelerated repair on the brink of the abyss

The 'Albiceleste' must forget the opening bump with a win so as not to say goodbye to the World Cup dream, against a 'Tri' that does not want to get off the hook

MADRID, 25 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Argentine team faces this Saturday (8:00 p.m.) against Mexico the second day of the World Cup in Qatar, with the urgent and accelerated need to repair its morale and its football to forget its surprise and historic defeat against Saudi Arabia in its World Cup debut, beating the Mexicans to not say goodbye to their dream, in a duel in which the Aztec team will want to scratch something positive to extend their chances of being at the crossroads.

Lionel Scaloni's men staged the first big hit of the World Cup in Qatar, losing (1-2) in their debut against Saudi Arabia, the 'Cinderella' of this Group C. The Argentines completed a more than remarkable first half, with three goals disallowed by You were very fair offsides, and only with the low income of 1-0 in their favor after Messi's goal from a penalty.

But the Asians changed face in the second match, boosted by a more consistent physical condition, and they turned it around with goals, in five minutes, from Alshehri and Aldawsari. The Saudis put more heart, character and enthusiasm and always believed in their feat, confirming the resounding failure of the South American team, among the top favorites to become champion again almost forty years later and two years after the death of the country's icon Diego Armando Maradona, leader of the last Argentine World Cup.

Argentina now faces a situation that it has not experienced for more than three years. Scaloni's pupils landed in Qatar with a 36-match unbeaten streak, with defeat in the 2019 Copa América semifinals as the only blur. Thus, this Saturday must be replaced without time for regrets and, after a calamitous second part, with some change in the 'eleven'.

The goalkeeper Dibu Martínez finished the match somewhat questioned for his intervention in the second goal, in which he could have done something else. However, his presence as a starter would not be in danger, like those of Otamendi, Paredes, De Paul -who completed a very poor performance against the Saudis-, Lautaro and Messi. The '10' will have to assume more responsibility and be the beacon of a team in which Scaloni could retouch a position.

The 'Papu' would leave his place to a plugged in Enzo Fernández or Mac Allister, while the coach will have to meditate if he gives continuity to his full-backs -Molina or Tagliafico- or gives entry to Montiel and Acuña. In attack, Ángel Correa could be the agitator the team needs, which if they don't win will see their World Cup dream vanish in Messi's "last chance" to lift the World Cup.

With many doubts and uncertainty after its debut, Argentina has history on its side. And it is that this direct confrontation has occurred three times in a World Cup. Whenever it happened in a World Cup, the Argentines won, with the last memory of South Africa 2010 in the round of 16 (3-1). They also prevailed in the first edition of the tournament in Uruguay 1930 (6-3) and Germany 2006, when a goal from Maxi Rodríguez settled the match, after goals from Crespo and Márquez.

The Mexican team had in their hands to take advantage of the Argentine disappointment on the first day against Poland, but the two teams knew that a defeat would be practically final. Thus, they signed a draw (0-0) that came to a close, although with a brave and unapologetic Aztec team, which will seek to raise its version to delve into the albiceleste wound, a team that has not beaten it since 2004 in an official match, in America Cup.

For this reason, scratching, at least a draw, against the theoretical candidate for the title would be finding gold to reach the third and final match -against Saudi Arabia, which can be classified if they beat Poland- of the group stage with options to qualify for the next round. Something that has happened in the last seven consecutive participations enjoyed by the 'Tri', with the barrier of the eighths as a great objective for those of 'Tata' Martino.

In the sports field, few changes are expected in the 'eleven', only with more doubts in the position of '9'. And it is that Henry Martín could make room for Raúl Jiménez, who already had minutes against Poland, improving what was shown by the striker chosen at first by Martino. Who has a fixed place is the goalkeeper Ochoa, who saved a penalty from Lewandowski in his debut in his fifth World Cup. Argentina will have to keep a close eye on winger Hirving Lozano, a constant dagger who can be a 'toothache' for the Argentine defense.

ARGENTINA: Martinez; Molina, Alexander Martinez, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Walls, Enzo Fernandez; Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez and Messi.

MEXICO: Ochoa; Jorqe Sánchez, César Montes, Héctor Moreno, Jesús Gallardo; Hector Herrera, Edson Alvarez, Chavez; Lozano, Jimenez, Vega.

-- Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA).

--ESTADIO: Lusail Iconic Stadium.

--TIME: 20.00/Gol Mundial and Movistar.