Argentina vs Mexico World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group C match at Qatar 2022

David Lynch

Argentina vs Mexico World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group C match at Qatar 2022 image

If Argentina are to live up to the pre-tournament hype touting them as potential World Cup winners, then they must surely beat Mexico.

Lionel Scaloni's side found themselves on the wrong end of the one of the tournament's great upsets in their opener, losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia.

And only three points in their second outing will do if they are to silence early doubts regarding their hopes of lifting the trophy.

Below are the predicted lineups for both teams ahead of the clash at Lusail Stadium.

MORE: Argentina vs Mexico tips, best bets and predictions from TSN's experts

Argentina vs Mexico lineups

As they look to get their World Cup campaign back on track, Argentina have received a significant fitness boost over their talisman.

Despite early concerns over a leg injury, Messi is fully fit and starts against Mexico.

But good news on the physical front must be backed by an immediate mental recovery, of which coach Scaloni said: "When you are knocked out you have to get up, and my players are more than capable of doing so.

"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."

MORE: How to watch Argentina vs Mexico in your territory

Argentina starting 11

(4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 4. Montiel, 25. L. Martinez, 19. Otamendi, 8. Acuna — 7. De Paul, 18. Rodriguez, 20. Mac Allister — 10. Messi, 22. L. Martinez, 11. Di Maria

  • Injured: none
  • Suspended: none

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez comes in for Cristian Romero, who has been short of fitness.

In midfield, Guido Rodriguez and Alexis Mac Allister start in place of Alejandro Gomez and Leandro ParedesGonzalo Montiel is another defensive change at right-back, with Nahuel Molina dropping out.

Mexico starting 11

(5-3-2, right to left): 13. Ochoa (GK) — 26. Kevin Alvarez, 2. Nestor Araujo, 3. Montes, 15. Moreno, 23. Gallardo — 16. Herrera, 18. Guardado, 24. Chavez — 22. Lozano, 10. Vega

  • Injured: none
  • Suspended: none

Martino's biggest call is to leave Raul Jimenez on the bench. Instead, Henry Martin drops out in a change of system, with Hirving Lozano and Alexis Vega starting in attack in a 5-3-2.

The big-game experience of Andres Guardado should help to bring some stability to the midfield, while Jorge Sanchez is on the bench as Kevin Alvarez starts on the right of the five-man defence.

Argentina vs Mexico World Cup squads

Here are the 26 names on each team's squad lists at the World Cup in Qatar:

Argentina

Position No. Player Club Age Caps
GK 1 Franco Armani River Plate (ARG) 36 18
GK 23 Emiliano Martinez Aston Villa (ENG) 30 19
GK 12 Geronimo Rulli Villarreal (SPA) 30 4
DEF 8 Marcos Acuna Sevilla (SPA) 30 43
DEF 2 Juan Foyth Villarreal (SPA) 24 16
DEF 25 Lisandro Martinez Man United (ENG) 24 10
DEF 26 Nahuel Molina Atletico Madrid (SPA) 24 19
DEF 4 Gonzalo Montiel Sevilla (SPA) 25 19
DEF 19 Nicolas Otamendi Benfica (POR) 34 93
DEF 6 German Pezzella Real Betis (SPA) 31 32
DEF 13 Cristian Romero Tottenham (ENG) 24 12
DEF 3 Nicolas Tagliafico Lyon (FRA) 30 42
MID 7 Rodrigo De Paul Atletico Madrid (SPA) 28 44
MID 24 Enzo Fernandez Benfica (POR) 21 3
MID 17 Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez Sevilla (SPA) 34 15
MID 20 Alexis Mac Allister Brighton (ENG) 23 8
MID 14 Exequiel Palacios Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 24 20
MID 5 Leandro Paredes Juventus (ITA) 28 46
MID 18 Guido Rodriguez Real Betis (SPA) 28 26
FWD 9 Julian Alvarez Man City (ENG) 22 12
FWD 16 Thiago Almada** Atlanta United (USA) 21 1
FWD 11 Angel Di Maria Juventus (ITA) 34 124
FWD 21 Paulo Dybala AS Roma (ITA) 28 34
FWD 15 Angel Correa* Atletico Madrid 25 22
FWD 22 Lautaro Martinez Inter Milan (ITA) 25 40
FWD 10 Lionel Messi PSG (FRA) 35 165

*Replaced the injured Nicolas Gonzalez 

**Replaced the injured Joaquin Correa

Mexico

Position No. Player Club Age Caps
GK 12 Rodolfo Cota Club Leon (MEX) 35 8
GK 13 Guillermo Ochoa Club America (MEX) 37 132
GK 1 Alfredo Talavera FC Juarez (MEX) 40 40
DEF 26 Kevin Alvarez Pachuca (MEX) 23 8
DEF 2 Nestor Araujo Club America (MEX) 31 63
DEF 6 Gerardo Arteaga Genk (BEL) 24 17
DEF 23 Jesus Gallardo Monterrey (MEX) 28 79
DEF 3 Cesar Montes Monterrey (MEX) 25 31
DEF 15 Hector Moreno Monterrey (MEX) 34 128
DEF 19 Jorge Sanchez Ajax (NED) 24 26
DEF 4 Johan Vasquez Cremonese (ITA) 23 7
DEF 4 Edson Alvarez Ajax (NED) 24 59
MID 24 Luis Chavez Pachuca (MEX) 26 9
MID 18 Andres Guardado Real Betis (SPA) 36 180
MID 14 Erick Gutierrez PSV (NED) 27 34
MID 16 Hector Herrera Houston Dynamo (USA) 37 102
MID 8 Carlos Rodriguez Cruz Azul (MEX) 25 37
MID 7 Luis Romo Monterrey (MEX) 27 27
FWD 17 Orbelin Pineda AEK Athens (GRE) 26 50
FWD 25 Roberto Alvarado Chivas (MEX) 24 32
FWD 21 Uriel Antuna Cruz Azul (MEX) 25 37
FWD 11 Rogelio Funes Mori Monterrey (MEX) 31 16
FWD 9 Raul Jimenez Wolves (ENG) 31 97
FWD 22 Hirving Lozano Napoli (ITA) 27 60
FWD 20 Henry Martin Club America (MEX) 29 27
FWD 10 Alexis Vega Chivas (MEX) 24 23

David Lynch

David Lynch Photo

David Lynch is a freelance football journalist primarily covering Liverpool FC. He has reported on the the Reds for over a decade for publications such as the Sunday Mirror and Evening Standard, carving out a reputation as a trusted voice on all things Anfield in the process. Having followed Liverpool across England and Europe over the course of his career, David has filed from illustrious venues such as Camp Nou, the Allianz Arena and the Estadio do Dragao, as well as from multiple Champions League finals.