The Mexican fans have coined a slogan that has caught everyone’s imagination. “Messi go, Messi go.” Since last Tuesday, when Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia, the same taunt is echoing everywhere in Doha.
“Messi go Messi go”. For a moment it sounds like “Mexico, Mexico”. The Argentine fans, already at the receiving end enduring snide remarks, had a brawl with some Mexican fans at one of the fan zones last week. Then there is the Saudi chant. Out in numbers and draped in their national flag, the Saudis have taken the streets by storm and they sing “Where is Messi? We broke his eye!”
On Saturday there could be more in store of all that when Argentina play Mexico in a Group C match at the Lusail Stadium. Argentina’s fate hinges on this match. One of the pre-tournament favourites, Lionel Messi and teammates are now staring at an early exit. It’s perform or perish for Argentina.
Agreed Lautaro Matrinez, who fell to the Saudi off-side trap twice, the other day. “It will be like a final for us because it is a match that could define our faith in this World Cup,” he said. “It was a heavy blow to our morale (losing to Saudi) but we are a strong group that is very united. We need to stay calm, recover and think about what’s coming. And what’s coming is Mexico, so we have to focus on getting the win no matter what.”
This is Argentina’s first World Cup without Diego Maradona. His death anniversary was on Friday and a statue was unveiled in Doha at an event organised by CONMEBOL, the South American football body. The fans also paid tribute later in the evening.
Maradona had singlehandedly led his country to triumph in Mexico. Thirty-six years later, the same Mexico could throw Argentina out. “There is no other choice but to get up and move on,” coach Lionel Scaloni said. “We continue to think in the same way. Before the game (against Saudi Arabia), they made us the favourites, but in a World Cup, these things can happen. You have to work on the aspects that didn’t go well.”
Mexico is coached by Gerardo Martino, an Argentine who was in charge of the Messis from 2014-16. They lost the Copa America final in back-to-back years during his stint.
The last time Argentina met Mexico was in 2019 and Lautaro Martinez had scored a hat-trick. “Yes, I have good memories. Hope something similar happens on Friday,” he said.
Unbeaten in 36 matches, till Saudi Arabia gave them a rude shock, Argentina are expected to make changes to the squad and formation. Centre-back Cristian Romero who was at fault for the goals against Saudi, full-backs Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico, and midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes are in danger of losing their places and speculations are abound that Messi could be deployed differently.
“We will not change the way we play because of the loss to Saudi Arabia. I can make a change or two in the selection but not in our system, that is not in question. This group will leave everything they’ve got on the pitch to recover from that heavy blow,” Scaloni, who faces his first major crisis since taking over the reins after Russia World Cup, was categorical.
Martino also doesn’t think Argentina will have a kneejerk reaction to Tuesday’s result.
“I don’t think the result they had (against Saudi Arabia) changes their way of playing,” said Martino, whose team tied their opening Group C game with Poland goalless. “Do not forget we also need a result tomorrow (Saturday).”
Mexico do not have a good record against Argentina in the World Cup. Will this Saturday be good to them? It won’t be good for Messi then.
