Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has made five changes to his starting lineup for this evening's crucial World Cup 2022 Group C clash against Mexico.
The two-time world champions suffered a shock 2-1 defeat in their opening fixture against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, and a defeat against Mexico would knock them out at the group stage of this year's tournament.
Scaloni has decided to make three changes to his back four, with Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez, and Sevilla full-backs Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna all coming in to replace Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico respectively.
Two changes have also been made in centre-midfield, with Real Betis lynchpin Guido Rodriguez handed a start at the expense of Leandro Paredes, while Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister replaces Papu Gomez.
Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who scored Argentina's opening goal in the defeat to Saudi Arabia, will continue in the front three alongside Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez.
As for Mexico, Gerardo Martino has made three changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Poland last time out, and the former Argentina boss has also switched from a 4-3-3 formation to a 5-3-2 system.
The surprise omission from El Tri's first XI is Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez, who drops to the bench along with Jorge Sanchez and Henry Martin.
Thirty-six-year-old captain Andres Guardado is brought in to start in centre-midfield alongside Luis Chavez and Hector Herrera, while Kevin Alvarez and Jesus Gallardo will operate as wing-backs.
There is no natural centre-forward in Martino's starting lineup, with Hirving Lozano and Alexis Vega leading the line, while Martin and Raul Jimenez begin on the bench.
Argentina starting lineup: E. Martinez; Montiel, Otamendi, Li. Martinez, Acuna; De Paul, G. Rodriguez, Mac Allister; Messi, La. Martinez, Di Maria
Subs: Armini, Rulli, Foyth, Tagliafico, Paredes, Pezzella, Alvarez, Romero, Palacios, Correa, Almada, Gomez, Dybala, Fernandez, Molina
Mexico starting lineup: Ochoa; Araujo, Moreno, Montes; K. Alvarez, Herrera, Guardado, Chavez, Gallardo; Lozano, Vega
Subs: Talavera, Cota, E. Alvarez, Vasquez, Arteaga, Romo, Rodriguez, Jimenez, Funes Mori, Gutierrez, Pineda, Sanchez, Martin, Antuna, Alvarado body check tags ::
