Argentina 2-0 Mexico
Argentina put in a dominant display in Cordoba to beat Mexico thanks to a first-half header from Ramiro Funes Mori and a late own goal.
Both coaches put out experimental teams for this international friendly match, and it was Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina which looked more ready for the international stage in a period of transition for both nations.
Argentina needs to get used to life without Lionel Messi, after he hinted the defeat to France in this year’s World Cup may be his last international appearance. Interim coach Scaloni hopes the Barca man may have a change of heart. But he’s retired before, of course, back in 2016 and has never had the best of relationships with Argentina fans who think he cares more for club than country.
Maybe Argentina can survive and thrive without the little genius, and on this evidence, they have plenty to work with. Spurs fans will have seen on the international friendly results that their new centre back, Juan Foyth, had been handed a debut. In Giovani Lo Celso, Argentina has a creative player bang in form in La Liga.
They certainly had too much for Mexico.
Highlights of the game
Mexico’s interim coach, Ricardo Ferretti, put out an inexperienced team to face Argentina — and that shifted the international friendly odds further towards the hosts. However,El Tri almost sprung a surprise in the second minute when Marco Fabian crossed for Raul Jimenez and the Wolves’ man’s header crashed against the bar.
That was it for Mexico as the rest of the entertainment at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes came from the hosts. Scaloni had plenty of talent at his disposal, including Juventus’ world class striker Paulo Dybala and Giovani Lo Celso. The PSG man is impressing on loan at Real Betis after having an outstanding game in Betis’ recent 4-3 win over Barca. He had Argentina’s first effort from distance, which was charged down.
A flurry of chances followed. The impressive Nicolas Tagliafico had a header blocked from a cross by Marcos Acuna, and then Lo Celso put in Dybala but the Juve man’s effort was saved. Renzo Saravia tried a shot from a difficult angle, and as the pressure on Mexico’s defence intensified, the breakthrough came just before half time.
Giovani Lo Celso got the better of, and then was fouled by Erick Gutierrez. Dybala’s superb dead ball delivery found Funes Mori for the Villarreal centre back to plant his header down into the bottom corner, giving the Mexico keeper no chance.
The pattern continued in the second half as Dybala shot just over. And as Mexico made a rare trip into Argentina’s penalty area, Angel Zaldivar headed wide. Lo Celso and Dybala continued to combine well, but when the second goal came, it came from an unexpected source of them was involved.
Mexico substitute Isaac Brizuela had only been on the pitch four minutes when he made a real impact, but unfortunately for Mexico he put through his own net on 83 minutes to give the score line a more realistic look.
Key statistics
Four places currently separate Argentina and Mexico in the FIFA rankings with El Tri in 16th, while Argentina is 12th. On this evidence, I would say the gap is widening.
El Tri had more possession, at 55 per cent, but didn’t produce much of any note after the second minute. With only three shots in the entire 90 minutes, it was a toothless display by Ferretti’s men as they looked short of ideas without the likes of Javier Hernandez. Argentina, with 15 shots and more creative players, were able to pick them off.
Both sides were protective of the ball with 85 per cent passing accuracy, but Argentina made more key passes with 11 to Mexico’s three. So you can have the ball all you like, but it’s what you do with it that counts.
What’s next?
There was plenty of head scratching in the Argentina camp, after a frustrating campaign in Russia, but there was plenty in this game to be encouraged about.
The two teams meet again next week, and Mexico coach Ferretti has admitted his side would have to improve before their second meeting or he can expect the same result.
Early next year, Argentina has the Superclasico de La Americas against Brazil to look forward to, and we’ll be there with SBOBET for that clash of two world greats.
Mexico’s next challenge is the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup and by then Ferretti will hope to have found a better balance in his side.
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