A surprise 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia has left Argentina, who arrived in Doha on a 36-match unbeaten run and in a precarious position as one of the overall favourites.
Argentina said they would look to the memory of superstar Diego Maradona, the 1986 World Cup-winning captain who died two years ago this week, to inspire them against the Mexicans.
Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez said, “We keep him in mind. He was a very important figure in world football, not just for us in Argentina.” “Today is a sad day for everyone and hopefully tomorrow we can give happiness.”
Argentina know they cannot afford a repeat of their opening match in Group C.
“It was difficult but we are a united group, a strong group that knows what we want, we know about our opponents, we have already overcome many things,” said MartÃnez, who won two The bar goal was disallowed for offside. Saudi.
The surprising Saudis have their chance to prove they can’t shine in the pan when they face Poland and Robert Lewandowski, who is still looking for the first World Cup goal of his career.
The Barcelona forward missed a penalty in a goalless draw against Mexico.
In other games on Saturday, defending champions France can book their place in the last 16 if they beat Denmark at Stadium 974, which incorporates shipping containers in its design.
The French lost defender Lucas Hernandez to injury in their opening 4-1 win against Australia, adding to a list of absences headed by Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who was world number one before kicking a ball. were out of the cup.
Australia faced another tough ride against a strong Tunisian side.
– Hosts Qatar out – In Friday’s action, host nation Qatar crashed out of their own World Cup after suffering a second straight defeat.
Qatar lost 3–1 to Senegal and became the first team to be eliminated from this World Cup after Netherlands and Ecuador drew 1–1 in their other Group A game.
Asian champions Qatar had high hopes coming into the tournament, but became only the second home team after South Africa in 2010 to crash out in the group stage.
Goals from Boule Dia, Famara Didhiou and Bamba Dieng were enough to seal the victory for African champions Senegal.
Mohamed Muntari scored Qatar’s only World Cup goal to date in a disappointing debut on football’s biggest stage – the first time a World Cup host nation has been knocked out after just two games.
Qatar defender Tarek Salman said, “We want to say that we are very sad for the supporters, the country.”
We have made them feel bad by losing two consecutive matches in the World Cup.
Senegal will now need to beat Ecuador to progress to the knockout stage, while Qatar will face the Dutch.
An indifferent England missed the chance to qualify for the knockout stage after a 0–0 draw with the United States.
After defeating Iran 6–2 in their opening match, England rarely troubled a well organized USA unit and were booed at full-time.
England captain Harry Kane said, “A draw isn’t the end of the world for us, it puts us in a great position in the group.”
England need to avoid a four-goal defeat by neighbors Wales on Tuesday to progress and know that a win would see them progress as group winners.
Earlier, Iran scored twice deep in stoppage time to beat Wales 2-0 and breathe new life into a World Cup campaign that has been overshadowed by massive anti-government protests in the country.
Iranian players sang the national anthem ahead of their win over Wales, opting to remain silent at their opener in Qatar in an apparent gesture of support for the protesters.
They were deserved winners against a 10 man team late in the match.
Iran, who would have finished on the losing side, earned Gareth Bale’s Wales penalty in the eighth minute of injury time when substitute Roozbeh Cheshmi smashed home.
The Iranians drove thousands of their fans crazy when Ramin Rezian slotted in the second goal on the counter-attack.
Superstar forward Neymar will miss the team’s next match against Switzerland after suffering an ankle ligament injury in their opening 2-0 win against Serbia, the Brazilian squad announced.
Neymar could also be sidelined for Brazil’s final group game against Cameroon, according to a report in Brazil’s Globo Esporte.
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