Fresh off the back of a shock opening-day defeat, Argentina will set out to get their World Cup campaign back on track when they take on Group C rivals Mexico at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday.
Heading into Qatar on a blistering 36-game unbeaten streak — a run dating back to a 2-0 loss against Brazil in the Copa America in July 2019 - Lionel Scaloni's men were heavily fancied to go all the way and secure their World Cup title.
Despite the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides, Argentina were left stunned by Saudi Arabia as the Green Falcons overturned a one-goal deficit to claim a 2-1 victory in their Group C opener last Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Mexico will feel satisfied to have left with a point in Tuesday's group opener, when Guillermo Ochoa denied Robert Lewandowski's from the penalty spot in the second half to force a share of the spoils.
With their World Cup hopes already on the line, Argentina must now avoid defeat against Mexico, who have managed just five wins in their last 35 meetings, although they have not squared off in a competitive game since the 2010 World Cup when La Albiceleste secured a 3-1 victory.
Argentina have picked up 16 wins since the first meeting between the sides in July 1930, while their last encounter came in a friendly fixture in September 2019, when the two-time world champions cruised to a 4-0 victory with Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez registering a hat-trick.
While Mexico will be seeking to pick up their first World Cup win since a 1-0 victory over Japan in Russia four years ago, they are winless in 10 consecutive games against Argentina, losing eight and claiming two draws in that time.
Gerardo Martino's side's last victory in this fixture came when the sides squared off in the Copa America back in July 2004, when Ramon Morales netted in the ninth minute to sink their continental rivals at the Estadio Elias Aguirre.
ARGENTINA VS. MEXICO HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Argentina wins: 16
Mexico wins: 5
Draws: 14
Argentina goals: 57
Mexico goals: 34
MATCH HISTORY
July 19, 1930: Argentina 6-3 Mexico (International Friendly)
March 13, 1956: Argentina 0-0 Mexico (Panamerican Championship)
March 22, 1956: Argentina 3-3 Mexico (Panamerican Championship)
March 10, 1960: Argentina 3-2 Mexico (Panamerican Championship)
March 17, 1960: Argentina 2-0 Mexico (Panamerican Championship)
March 28, 1962: Argentina 1-0 Mexico (International Friendly)
August 22, 1967: Argentina 1-2 Mexico (International Friendly)
February 6, 1973: Argentina 0-2 Mexico (International Friendly)
August 31, 1975: Argentina 1-1 Mexico (Copa de Mexico)
September 18, 1984: Argentina 1-1 Mexico (International Friendly)
October 25, 1984: Argentina 1-1 Mexico (International Friendly)
November 14, 1985: Argentina 1-1 Mexico (International Friendly)
November 17, 1985: Argentina 1-1 Mexico (International Friendly)
July 31, 1987: Argentina 1-1 Mexico (International Friendly)
August 2, 1987: Argentina 1-1 Mexico (International Friendly)
January 17, 1990: Argentina 0-2 Mexico (International Friendly)
February 17, 1990: Argentina 0-2 Mexico (International Friendly)
March 13, 1991: Argentina 0-0 Mexico (International Friendly)
June 20, 1993: Argentina 1-1 Mexico (Copa America)
July 4, 1993: Argentina 2-1 Mexico (Copa America)
February 10, 1999: Argentina 1-0 Mexico (International Friendly)
June 9, 1999: Argentina 2-2 Mexico (International Friendly)
December 20, 2000: Argentina 2-0 Mexico (International Friendly)
February 4, 2003: Argentina 1-0 Mexico (International Friendly)
July 10, 2004: Argentina 0-1 Mexico (Copa America)
March 9, 2005: Argentina 1-1 Mexico (International Friendly)
June 26, 2005: Argentina 1-1 Mexico (FIFA Confederations Cup)
June 24, 2006: Argentina 2-1 Mexico (FIFA World Cup)
June 11, 2007: Argentina 3-0 Mexico (Copa America)
June 4, 2008: Argentina 4-1 Mexico (International Friendly)
June 27, 2010: Argentina 3-1 Mexico (FIFA World Cup)
September 8, 2015: Argentina 2-2 Mexico (International Friendly)
November 16, 2018: Argentina 2-0 Mexico (International Friendly)
November 20, 2018: Argentina 2-0 Mexico (International Friendly)
September 10, 2019: Argentina 4-0 Mexico (International Friendly)
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