Argentina 4-0 Mexico
Lautaro Martinez put quite an emphatic end to Tata Martino’s unbeaten run as Mexico manager. The Argentine striker scored a first-half hat-trick to lead the Albiceleste to a comprehensive 4-0 victory over El Tri in their international friendly matchup.
Mexico, who were coming off an impressive 3-0 win over the USA, fielded a strong starting XI for the match. They had high hopes of ending their long winless run against an Argentina side missing some of its biggest stars in Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, and Angel Di Maria.
But despite those key absentees, the international friendly 2019 odds still had the Argentines favoured, and Lautaro showed why. The Albiceleste continued their decades-long domination over the Mexicans with his spectacular performance, which was aided by some abysmal Mexican defending.
Highlights of the game
This highly anticipated match took a while to heat up. Neither side created much going forward for the first quarter of an hour; the only notable attempt for either team was Marcos Rojo’s header from a free-kick, which went way wide.
It took until the 17th minute for Argentina to create the game’s first big chance, and they went in front with it. Mexico seemed to have the situation under control as Lautaro Martinez received the ball some distance from goal with three Mexican defenders around him.
But the Argentina striker brilliantly charged his way past all three of them before unleashing a terrific left-footed finish past Guillermo Ochoa. It would turn out to be the first of many international friendly 2019 highlights from the Inter striker.
Mexico backline’s would once again be at fault for Argentina’s second just five minutes later. An attempted clearance by a Mexico defender hit Lautaro and went straight to the path of Exequiel Palacios.
Palacios then supplied a brilliant through ball back to Lautaro, who once again made no mistake with his left-footed shot to double his tally.
There was to be more misfortune for the Mexico defence after Argentina were awarded a penalty. Carlos Salcedo had his hand way above his head, and it made contact with Lautaro’s flick.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Leandro Paredes stepped up to take the spot-kick, which just squeezed in despite Ochoa getting his hands onto the ball.
Argentina’s dream first half would be completed on 39 minutes, and it was once again the combination of awful Mexican defending and Lautaro’s clinical finishing that would lead to the fourth and final goal.
Mexico centre-back Nestor Araujo was too weak in attempting to clear the ball with Lautaro lurking near the penalty area, and he was punished. The Inter striker instantly pounced on the mistake as he smashed the ball — this time with his right foot –between the legs of the helpless Ochoa to complete his hat-trick.
Ochoa was understandably upset by his disappointing defence, and so were the thousands of Mexico fans, who booed their team off as the half-time whistle sounded.
The match was effectively over as a contest by then. Paulo Dybala came on for the hat-trick hero Martinez at half-time, and manager Lionel Scaloni made more changes as the second half wore on.
The fact that it took Mexico until the third minute of stoppage time to record their first shot on target in the match summed up just how disastrous their performance was.
Key statistics
Mexico finished with 63 per cent of possession, in large part due to Argentina taking their foot off the gas in the second half. But the telling statistic was the shot totals, which the Argentines clearly dominated. Argentina finished with 17 shots (seven on target) to Mexico’s four (one on target).
Lautaro was brilliant as he contributed four of those shots and scored with all three of his shots on target. Dybala was also strong after coming on in the second half with three shots, one target.
Argentina have now won eight of their last nine meetings against Mexico, who have won just once against the Albiceleste in the last 28 years.
What’s next?
Mexico will have to wait until next month to bounce back from that disastrous showing against Argentina. They will have a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago ahead of their first two CONCACAF Nations League matches against Bermuda and Panama.
As for Argentina, their next assignment will come against mighty Germany, who are coming off a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
Don’t forget to check out the SBOBET odds for that high-profile friendly match when they become available next month.
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