Mexico's interim coach Ricardo Ferretti admitted his side would have to improve before next week's second meeting with Argentina after suffering a 2-0 defeat in Cordoba.
Ramiro Funes Mori put the hosts ahead with a fine header after 44 minutes and their deserved victory was sealed seven minutes before time when Mexico's Isaac Brizuel found his own net.
Ferretti, who stepped in as manager on an interim basis for a second time in August, has now seen his side lose four of their last five matches, and suggested he will give other players a chance to start in the final fixture of the year in Mendoza.
#SelecciónMayor ¡Final del primer tiempo! Con este gol de @funesmoriofi25, @Argentina vence 1-0 a @miseleccionmx. pic.twitter.com/EAe5nyeUCb — Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) November 17, 2018
Quoted on the team's official Twitter page, he said after the loss at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes: "We started well, but Argentina was winning possession of the ball.
"If you are not effective, you are taking a very big risk of losing, the experience of this match is very useful.
"We must rethink several things for the next game, I will give the opportunity to other players."
#SelecciónMayor 26' PT Otro buen intento de @PauDybala_JR en el área mexicana. pic.twitter.com/Qx4gPmeAPx — Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) November 17, 2018
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, also at the helm on a temporary basis, fielded a largely inexperienced team for the international friendly following the absence of Lionel Messi, who has not played for the national side since the World Cup.
In his fifth game as boss, Scaloni said he was pleased to add another win to his tenure following victories over Guatemala and Iraq, a goalless draw with Colombia and a loss to Brazil.
Quoted on the team's Twitter page, he said: "It was a different game. They play a very difficult football to counteract. You had to try to get out fast. They complicated us at times, but the team knew how to suffer.
"Beyond the first few minutes, I think we got little. Ramiro Funes Mori is back playing after his injury. We give him confidence and he responds."
He went on to praise his current roster of young players, which features 18 players under 26 and 19 players with no more than 10 caps.
"I'm happy because some of the players were able to make their debuts today, we're adding up and important things are coming for them, the guys have to know that this shirt weighs.
"We know how to defend, we know how to suffer and that in football is important. We're excited about what's coming."
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