Mexico played a friendly against Paraguay: as did Argentina’s second rival in Qatar 2022

The National of Mexico played this Wednesday against Paraguay, in a new friendly in view of Qatar World Cup 2022where it shares Group C with the Argentina by Lionel Scaloni, as well as Saudi Arabia and Poland. It was a defeat for the team led by Gerardo Martinoin the fight against his compatriot Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

The match was played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, where Atlanta United usually plays. Precisely, this is the same franchise with which the manager from Rosario was champion of Major League Soccer 2018, so he knew the playing field, even if it was not very useful to him.

The person responsible for opening the marking was the attacker Derlis Gonzálezwho took advantage of a rebound on the post at the beginning of the second half and established the 1-0 final giving the victory to the Guaraní, who were able to bear the result until the final whistle.

In that attempt to maintain the lead, one of the figures was the Paraguayan goalkeeper Antony Silva, charged with keeping his fence unbeaten by dint of great saves, especially in the final stretch of the match.

Defeat revived the criticism from the Mexican press and from various users on social networks against “Tata” Martinoconsidering that, in the last matches of preparation for the next World Cup, the team not only did not achieve positive results, but did not even show a solid collective level.

Specifically, the Tricolore has already faced five friendlies this year: they have barely won one, drawing twice and losing the remaining two.

Far from remaining on the sidelines of questions, Martino explored that theme during the press conference he held after the fall: “I see people happy that a colleague loses his job, I’ve come to feel like public enemy number one“.

“I’ve noticed an environment that feels comfortable with this quite unusual situationthe big concern is the impact this has on the group of players, who come out to defend the manager and it is not good that they have that extra pressure, “he added.

Mexico will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina national team on 26 November from 16:00 (Argentine time) for the second date of Group C.

The debut of Albiceleste’s team, on the other hand, will take place on November 22nd against Saudi Arabia, while four days after the duel against the Mexican team, on the 30th, it will close its participation in the group stage with Poland.

The friendlies of the Argentina national team before Qatar 2022

In view of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the Argentine national team has already defined the friendlies it will play as part of the preparation: it will play in Miami against Honduras, Friday 23 September; is ahead Jamaica in New York, Tuesday 27 of that month. The window opened once the pending match against Brazil for the South American qualifiers was canceled.

He had agreed on a match against Mexico, but since the draw placed them in World Cup Group C (along with Saudi Arabia and Poland) they had to abandon him. It was thought of Canada, but the team that will return to the World Cup after 36 years has already closed a duel against Uruguay by that date.

Concacaf’s teams have appeared as a good fit as Argentina will face Mexico in the World Cup. This is why Honduras and Jamaica, even if they do not have the level they had to demonstrate before the appointment, have given the right dimension for the last FIFA window.

With information from agencies.

IS