Lionel Messi And Argentina Look To Bounce Back From Opening Game Defeat When They Fave Mexico In The World Cup.

Reigning Copa America champions Argentina, are set to face Mexico on Saturday as they look turn around a dreadful opening game to the 2022 World Cup.


La Albiceleste who are tipped favourites to win this year World Cup, were humiliated by Saudi Arabia after throwing away an early 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 in their opening Group C match last Tuesday at the Lusail Stadium.


Saudi Arabia's victory over Argentina was one the greatest upset in the history of the World Cup, as they ended Argentina's 36 games unbeaten run coming into the tournament.


Despite scoring the only for for Argentina, Messi who is yet to lift the World Cup trophy, didn’t hide from the embarrassment of Argentina’s defeat.

It's was the first time the South American team loses a game where Lionel Messi scores a goal since 2009.



When asked about the team’s morale Messi replied: “Dead.

Though the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, had reacted to his team’s defeat to Saudi Arabia, as he assured his country’s supporters that the team would bounce back and go all out to win their remaining matches.

"There are no excuses,” Messi told reporters after the defeat.

"We did not expect to start in this way, but things happen for a reason. We have to win all our remaining matches by correcting all our mistakes."



This is not the first time that Argentina have unexpectedly lost their opening game in the World Cup.

They were on the receiving end of the one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history, losing to Cameroon in 1990.


However Argentina recovered and reached the final, before losing 1-0 to West Germany at the Stadio Olimpico in Italy.


For the 1990 run to repeat itself, Argentina will have to get past a stubborn Mexico side, led by World Cup icon Guillermo Ochoa.

The Mexican sensational goalkeeper rose to fame over the last two World Cups, winning the Man of the Match award twice in 2014 with his superb shot-stopping.

As if that is not enough, Ochoa has also begun the 2022 World Cup with a superb performance, after saving a penalty from Robert Lewandowski in Mexico’s opening game 0-0 draw with Poland.


The draw for Mexico and Poland in same group C, means that Messi and Argentina cannot afford to lose again if they want to progress from the group into round of 16.


Argentine coach confirmed that Lionel Scaloni confirmed Messi will be ready for Argentina's game against Mexico on Saturday night amid suggestions that the forward is nursing a leg injury.

Speaking at a pre-match news conference, Scaloni said: "Leo is doing well, as our his other teammates. We know tomorrow we have an important match and most young players know that everything will be left on the pitch. Everything depends on us - that's why we need to give everything on the pitch.

"You need to rise up after a blow like that, bounce back together and think of the upcoming match - that's all you can do. For a long time everything was perfect for us - all joy - but in difficult moments we need everyone's support."



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