Argentina were the pre-tournament favourites for many, but they are in a must-win situation ahead of their match with Mexico this weekend.
Having been on the wrong end of arguably the World Cup’s greatest ever upset, Lionel Scaloni’s team need to get back on track. Luckily, they are facing a team they have beaten to nil in the last three contests.
Mexico played out a goalless draw with Poland on Tuesday. The attack lacked punch, but Guillermo Ochoa was again their World Cup hero with a penalty save from Robert Lewandowski.
Total Goals: Over 2.5
There have been over 2.5 goals in Argentina’s last four World Cup matches, and La Albiceleste have to be on the front foot here.
Mexico, too, will be chasing a victory after failing to beat Poland in their opening match.
Argentina’s attack created chances against Saudi Arabia, which they will do so again in this one.
The circumstances should lead to an open match with plenty of goal scoring opportunities for both sides.
Anytime Goalscorer: Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez was denied a goal in controversial circumstances due to a very tight VAR call. The Inter striker was a nuisance for the Saudi Arabian defence throughout, and has a superb understanding with Lionel Messi.
Getting just a couple of shots off only tells part of the story for Martinez in the opening match. He was sharp, and on another day, he would have scored a couple of goals.
Martinez has found the net in five of his last nine caps.
Winner: Argentina
Since drawing with Mexico in a 2005 friendly, Argentina have won eight of their nine encounters, drawing the other.
The Argentines defeated Mexico at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, and have conceded just four goals in their last seven meetings.
It is easy to doubt Argentina after their loss to Saudi Arabia, but they still controlled proceedings with five times as many shots as their opponents and almost 70 per cent possession.
All odds are subject to change