Argentina are seeking to make amends for their shock defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia in the previous round of fixtures.

The Green Falcons, the second lowest ranked team at the World Cupcame from behind to win 2-1 after Lionel Messi's early penalty, sending shockwaves through the footballing world.

Meanwhile, Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa was up to his usual World Cup antics, as he frustrated Polish striker Robert Lewandowski in a 0-0 draw that same day.

Lewandowski is still yet to find the net at the finals for Poland.

La Albiceleste will be looking to get points on the board from this point on and learn from their mistakes on their opening day as they saw three goals disallowed for offside all in the first half.

Argentina were tournament favourites before that game against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, but that has left question marks over their chances this time around.

Another defeat here could see them facing a shocking early exit in the group stages.

Avoiding defeat would have seen them equal Italy's record unbeaten run of 37 matches, with that game being the first time since 1958 they have lost after scoring the first goal.

That game was a defeat to Germanyand this was also the first game they lost while leading at half-time since the inaugural tournaments final against Uruguay in 1930.

Saudi Arabia are also the first non-European team to beat Argentina since Cameroon in 1990, they went on to reach the final that year despite defeat before losing to West Germany.

They are also the first Asian team to beat them at a World Cup in five attempts.

The past three teams to beat Argentina at the World Cup either went on to win the tournament with Germany in 2014 and France in 2018 or reach the final, Croatia also in 2018.

Team News

Argentina

Captain Lionel Messi trained away from his teammates on Thursday with his left leg causing concern, however, is expected to start in the forward trio that should also consist of Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria.

A fitness issue saw Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez demoted to the bench in the loss to Saudi Arabia, he could come in for either of Nicolas Otamendi or Cristian Romero, with the latter also only just having returned from injury shortly before the tournament.

Angel Correa will be hoping for his first minutes of the tournament this time around as well as Paulo Dybala.
 

The Roma striker is ready to return to action after a calf injury he suffered earlier this month against Lecce.

Mexico

Mexico continue the trend of forwards returning to fitness here with Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Raul Jimenez.
 

The 31 year old returned to the national team set up in El Tri's final friendly before the tournament, following a groin injury, something which has been a recurring issue for him.

It remains to be seen if he will be restored to the starting XI this time around following a cameo from the bench, the responsibility of leading the line could fall once again to Henry Martin.

Luis Chavez did not feature in Mexico's CONCACAF qualifying campaign for the tournament, but that did not stop him from playing his way into the side to start last time out against Poland.

However, with the side looking uninspiring in their 0-0 draw, Tata Martino will be looking to make changes and it is expected to see Andres Guardado replace him on the left to add more experience to the side.

Expected Lineups

Argentina

(4-3-2-1): E. Martinez, Montiel, Romero, Li Martinez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Paredes, Fernandez, Messi, La Martinez, Di Maria

Mexico

(4-3-3): Ochoa, Sanchez, Montes, Moreno, Gallardo, Herrera, Alvarez, Guardado, Lozano, Martin, Vega

Key Players

Lionel Messi

An extremely talented team is at the disposal of Lionel Scaloni here, but as always, there is only one man who can be singled out as their danger man and that is captain Lionel Messi. 

The 35 year old is playing in his self admitted final World Cup this year and will be looking to add the elusive trophy to his collection as well as more goals. 

He scored on the opening match day from the spot but had some chances that you would expect a younger Messi to put away.

The Paris Saint Germain man adds more than goals to the game however, his skill on the ball makes it so hard for players to dispossess him and he is a natural playmaker.

Messi has found the back of the net seven times in qualifying as well as one already in the tournament.

Not just this, but he has seven goals and ten assists in just 13 matches in Ligue 1 for PSG this season.

Guillermo Ochoa

Mexico also have a lot of high-quality outfield players, such as Napoli's  Hirving Lozano.
 

However, as it will most likely be a busy day for the Mexico defence the most important player could well be goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. 

Another player most likely playing his final tournament at the age of 37, this is his fifth appearance at the finals.

Ochoa became a hero at the 2014 World Cup in a man of the match performance against hosts Brazil as he kept a clean sheet and has always been recognised as a consistent performer for the national side even before this fixture.

Having kept out Lionel Messi's Barcelona teammate at the time Neymar with a stunning save in the 2014 group stages, the Mexican shot stopper will certainly be looking to deny the Argentine this time around also.

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Match Details

Where is the game being played? 

This fixture sees the two teams clash in Lusail City, Qatar in the Lusail City Iconic Stadium.

When is the game?

The game kicks off at 7pm UK time on Saturday November 26th.

How can I watch the game?

In the UK the game will be broadcast on ITV1 with highlights available on BBC1.

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