Mexico-Argentina Predictions by Goal.com
Andrea Martinez
How much progress did Mexico show in the group stage?
Mexico has shown much progress going through the group stage. The team seemed to go through an ascent during the first two games, although it took a dip against Uruguay. Though Aguirre may not be keen on lining them up, the best players and substitutes were clearly defined in these games. Also, the availability of one the most important members of the team, Efrain Juarez, for the upcoming match Mexico can get back to how they were performing and hopefully continue on the incline.
What must improve?
Several things must improve before the game on Sunday, but one of the most important things is to not leave too many spaces. Previous teams did not fully take advantage of this against Mexico, but Argentina’s offense takes full advantage of things like these so it will be something that Mexico has to watch.
What does Mexico have going for them against Argentina?
Like Rafael Marquez mentioned in his press conference, one of Argentina’s weaknesses is their defense. Like in many of their other games, one of Mexico’s biggest advantages is their speed. All of the attention when watching Argentina may focus on their players up top and their individualities, but defensively they’re not that strong. They only let in one goal during the group stages, but they weren’t tested in the same way that Mexico might test them on Sunday. Mexico also has a good mix of players that were there for the 2006 loss, and players that were not; the older players can try and play for that revenge(no matter how much they may say it’s not revenge) and those that have a clean slate to make history against Argentina.
What is Mexico's biggest weakness heading into Sunday?
Argentina’s main attraction is Lionel Messi, and Mexico’s biggest weakness is seeming to focus too much on just that one player. Some of the focus is justifiable; he is one of the best players in the world. But, focusing just on Messi will kill Mexico. He’s shown that he can take on the markings of more than one player at a time, but all resources should not be wasted on him. If Messi is not the one making the goals or giving the passes, there are several other players on the team that can do that as well; just ask Gonzalo Higuain.
Prediction:
Draw, 1-1. Mexico loses in penalties.
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Luis Bueno
How much progress did Mexico show in the group stage?
With such a long preparation process, Mexico did not have an opening match that reflected a 60-day, eight-game run-up to the World Cup. Against France, Mexico looked like they were ready to take the next step towards becoming a true contender. But those gains were quickly lost in a pitiful effort against Uruguay. Mexico reached the second round, a feat in and of itself, but did so on goal differential. Statistically, Mexico had the same 1-1-1 record as it got four years ago yet hopes were high that this would be a different Tricolor.
Individually, of course, progress was made as some important players gained some invaluable experience but collectively the team has not shown much growth from previous World Cups.
What must improve?
The defense was particularly sloppy against Uruguay. Finishing, of course, can get better, but if the defense gives up chances to Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Hugain and Carlos Tevez, Mexico will be severely punished. Getting Efrain Juarez will be important but the players who played so well against France on the bacline were the same who looked shaky against Uruguay. Argentina will have their chances and the defense will be tested like it hasn't been tested this World Cup, and the defense needs to be up to the challenge.
What does Mexico have going for them against Argentina?
Mexico haven't quite shown it in this World Cup but the team has the ability to score in flurries. If Mexico can strike first and sieze the momentum, they might be able to capitalize and get a quick second goal. That would likely require the presence of Javier Hernandez from the start as Hernandez has shown his own ability to score often and has a knack of finding the back of the net. Mexico's attack in general is reason for optimism.
What is Mexico's biggest weakness going into Sunday?
Despite all the talk of making history, this team has played a lot like recent World Cup teams - and that's not necessarily a good thing. The same mentality that has kept Mexico from getting past the Round of 16 appeared in full force against Uruguay. While players and coaches change, it seems this 2010 team will tell the same tale as always.
Prediction:
Argentina 2, Mexico 1. The same score as the 2006 match but this one won't need extra time to decide it.
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Nayib Moran
How much progress did Mexico show in the group stage?
Is it accurate to consider Javier Aguirre’s Mexico bipolar? Yes. Analyzing Mexico’s games from May 24th to its recent lost to Uruguay, in the last group stage match, El Tri has played phenomenal, and melancholic soccer.
Luckily, this bipolarity has followed a pattern: it started at Wembley Stadium, where Mexico’s inefficiency to put the ball in the net, overshadowed the well played game by Aguirre’s men against England, then Freiburg witnessed a weak Mexican defense, which was overwhelmed by Robin Van Persie and Holland, Brussels saw Mexico defeat Italy for the first time in almost 60 years, inaugurating the World Cup against a weak South Africa, El Tri finished with a lucky tie, after bombarding Itumeleng Khune’s goal in the first half, in front of a large crowd of Mexican fans, El Tri convincingly defeated, a depleted France, and hope on Aguirre’s team was more of a reality than an option, and finally, the unpleasant drop, caused by a well coached Uruguay team, cost Mexico’s first loss at South Africa.
The road to this long awaited game has been rather uncomfortable, but if this pattern continues its trend, Mexico should play a highly decorous match against Argentina.
What must improve?
If El Tri does not show conviction, the game will prove to be a lost cause. Aguirre’s substitutions against Uruguay were overwhelmingly confusing. A Mexican fan hopes to see the best XI men on the pitch, representing a nation that breathes soccer, but with a stubborn Aguirre and Carillo, that wish might just be a helpless dream.
What does Mexico have going for them against Argentina?
Four years ago, the idea of reaching that “fifth” game looked to be overly obsessive, due to Ricardo LaVolpe’s promise to Mexico that it was going to occur in German land, but it did not thanks to Maxi Rodriguez’s last gasp of luck. Coming to this new and improve version of the Mexico-Argentina duel, the players and staff do not have as ultimate goal to be in that fifth game, their main goal is to take one game at a time, unfortunately, this sudden death game is against a team that has scored seven goals in the group stage.
What is Mexico's biggest weakness heading into Sunday?
Mexico does not own an attacking front like the Argentinean, led by Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, and Carlos Tevez, the fact that Messi plays for Argentina makes Diego Armando Maradona’s team a firm candidate to win the World Cup. But then, Mexico has to believe the fact, that it is a country that has nothing to lose, but a lot to win. If Mexico steps onto Soccer City’s pitch with a winning mentality, that repeatedly chants, “Si se puede”, Maradona and Argentina are up for a memorable game.
Prediction:
Mexico, 1, Argentina 0. Optimism! Mexico cannot come into this game with a losing mentality. It will be a game to be remembered for the 13 Tri members who will take the pitch, whether it concludes as a win or a loss. All a Mexican fan asks for is for Aguirre to start the best XI, and let destiny do its work.
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Sergio Tristan
How much progress did Mexico show in the group stage?
Mexico has shown no progress and in my opinion has taken a step backwards. The initial game appeared complicated due to opening the tournament against the host nation. We then moved onto a weak French team where we showed a very cool and comfortable team, great dynamic play, and goals. All that was destroyed when Javier Aguirre gave away the game against Uruguay. Instead of walking into a game against Argentina with a confident team and the support of the media and fans Mexico will walk in Sunday with nothing gained. Can this team defend in the air, the quick counter, or set plays? Can this team score? All these questions that could have been answered weren't.
What must improve?
Aguirre's intial formation and substitutions. Sure the defense needs to focus better on covering each other but Aguirre's behavior has been more erratic then our defenders, plain and simple. He needs to stick to the 4-3-3 formation the team has been playing under and play with the speed and desire of youth. If Aguirre can stop himself from committing the mistakes he made against Uruguay, or shall I say it 2002, then this team may have a chance.
What does Mexico have going for them against Argentina?
If Aguirre plays Chicharito then Mexico has speed against a very strong yet slow Argentina defense. Neither does Demichelis, Heinze, Burdisson, or Walter Samuel are particularly fast and the best attack would be one that flys down the field. In fact, the Argentinean defense has been tested sparingly and when it has been tested speed was a factor. Also, Mexico's attackers must pressure quickly as Demichelis has already committed one goal giving mistake.
What is Mexico's biggest weakness heading into Sunday?
Ok well besides the unpredicability of Javier Aguirre I would have to say its the inablity to score. Three goals in three games against six is a big difference considering Mexico had what on paper appeared to be the weaker bracket. Also, much has been said about the 120 plus goals scored compared to 20 plus scored by Vela, Gio, Franco, and Hernandez. To say we Mexico is fighting Machine Guns with Muskets is an understatement, we are simply out gunned.
Prediction:
Argentina 4 - Mexico 1. Messi has not scored and he is due. Every game so far he has improved and come more and more close to putting one away. Simply stated, the great players show up in the knock out rounds and this seems like it will be Messi's tournament.
AI
