Mexico and Argentina’s football matches never fail to deliver thrilling competition and unexpected results. Mexico showed their strength by defeating Argentina 3-0 in the second game of a two-game U-23 series, splitting the series evenly. This win adds another exciting chapter to the growing rivalry between these football giants.
Argentina’s struggles have become apparent as they failed to score in six of their last seven games. Mexico’s impressive run against Argentina includes a 2-0 victory at the Pan American Games on October 31. Both teams rotated their squads during the U-23 series, yet the matches showed the impressive talent pool available to both nations.
Mexico’s previous victory against Argentina came at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, where they clinched a 1-0 win during the group stage. The rivalry’s intensity resonates with players too. Lionel Messi has said that his favorite goal during the Qatar World Cup was the one he scored against Mexico.
Table of Contents
The Origins of the Mexico vs Argentina Rivalry
The football rivalry between Mexico and Argentina goes back many decades. Fans might be surprised to know that this intense competition started much later than expected.
First official encounters and early tensions
Mexico and Argentina’s rivalry began at the first FIFA World Cup in 1930. Argentina won that group stage match decisively with a 6-3 score. The rivalry didn’t catch fire right away. Both teams met mostly in the Panamerican Championship during the 1950s and 1960s. Argentina won their matches in 1960, while the 1956 games ended in draws.
The real football rivalry took shape much later. A turning point came during the 1993 Copa América Final where Argentina beat Mexico 2-1. This match stands out because Mexico became the first non-CONMEBOL nation to reach a Copa América final. Manager Alfio Basile led Argentina to their fourteenth Copa América title, which strengthened their position in this rivalry.
How Olympic and Pan American clashes shaped the rivalry
The tension between these football giants grew stronger through Olympic and Pan American competitions. Argentina grabbed gold medals in 2004 and 2008 Olympics. A young Lionel Messi played in the 2008 team. Mexico made their mark by beating Brazil in the 2012 London Games final to win their Olympic gold. This added another chapter to their competitive story.
Pan American Games brought more opportunities for these teams to face off. Each match added something special to their growing rivalry. Mexico shocked everyone by beating Argentina in the 2019 Pan American Games. This showed they could stand up to their South American rivals.
The role of youth tournaments like Sub 23
The rivalry keeps growing through youth tournaments, especially at the U-23 level. Two U-23 friendly matches in 2019 showed how intense this competition can be even among younger players. The first match in Ciudad Juarez ended 2-2 with drama – a red card and a fight between players.
Both teams played two more U-23 friendlies in 2024. Javier Mascherano’s Argentina used these games to get ready for the 2024 Olympics after they beat Brazil to qualify in February. Ricardo Cadena’s Mexico wanted to gain experience against tough competition after missing Olympic qualification.
The players themselves see things differently despite the tension on the field. Lionel Messi said “There’s really no comparison between Argentina and Mexico” as he didn’t understand why this rivalry existed. Raúl Jiménez agreed, saying “There’s no real rivalry between Mexico and Argentina, there’s a bit, but mostly from the Mexican side”. Jiménez pointed out Argentina’s better record – they won 16 out of 32 total matches while Mexico won just 4.
Key Matches That Defined the Rivalry
Some matches between Mexico and Argentina stand out from regular games. These encounters have shaped their fierce rivalry over the years. The games showcased amazing talent and created stories that keep this football rivalry alive.
2006 World Cup: Messi’s breakout moment
The 2006 World Cup Round of 16 battle in Leipzig became a significant chapter in Mexico and Argentina’s story. Mexico shocked Argentina with an early lead in the 6th minute as Rafael Márquez scored from Mario Méndez’s free kick. Argentina, without doubt feeling the pressure, bounced back with a goal just four minutes later. Hernán Crespo got credit for the goal, though replays hinted at a deflection off Jared Borgetti’s head or shoulder.
This match stands out because of its link to a young Lionel Messi. He came on as a substitute on his 19th birthday and lit up the game right away. The officials ruled out his late goal for offside. The game ended up going to extra time, where Maxi Rodríguez scored one of the tournament’s best goals—a brilliant chest-and-volley in the 98th minute that gave Argentina a 2-1 win.
This game marked a key moment in Messi’s World Cup experience. He had already scored against Serbia and Montenegro in the group stage, and his performance against Mexico—even with the disallowed goal—showed why people saw him as football’s next superstar.
2022 World Cup: The jersey incident and media storm
The teams met again at the Qatar World Cup, where Argentina grabbed a crucial 2-0 win. The stakes were huge since Argentina had lost to Saudi Arabia in their first game and needed this win to stay alive.
Neither team scored until the 64th minute when Messi broke through with what he later called his most celebrated goal of the tournament: “Not because of the fans, far from it. It was a huge relief and gave us the peace of mind to get back to what we were and depend on ourselves”.
Drama unfolded after the match. Mexican boxing champion Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez claimed Messi disrespected Mexico when a video showed him moving Mexico’s jersey on the floor with his foot during celebrations. Álvarez’s Twitter threat—”He better ask God not to run into me”—caused an uproar on social media. Players like Sergio Agüero and Cesc Fabregas stepped up to defend Messi. They explained that players often leave exchanged shirts on the floor before washing. Álvarez later apologized for misreading Messi’s actions, but the whole ordeal left its mark on the rivalry.
2024 U-23 friendlies: A tale of two games
The rivalry’s latest chapter played out in March 2024 with two U-23 friendly matches that showed the back-and-forth nature of this competition. Argentina won the first match 4-2 though Mexico started well. Mexico led 2-2 at half time but their defense fell apart in the second half.
Mexico bounced back days later with an impressive 3-0 win to split the series. Santiago Muñoz scored from the penalty spot, and Ramiro Arciga became the hero with two second-half goals. The match had its heated moment when Rodrigo Lopez confronted Gonzalo Lujan for kicking a ball into Bryan Ayon’s head.
These U-23 friendlies proved that Mexico and Argentina’s rivalry stays strong at every level. Both nations still measure themselves against each other as they get ready for future tournaments and Olympic competition.
Tactical Differences Between the Two Teams
The tactical battle between Mexico and Argentina reveals two distinct football philosophies that have stayed true to core principles while adapting over time.
Argentina’s possession-based style
La Albiceleste’s tactical identity centers on ball possession and patient attack building. Lionel Scaloni’s team ranks in the 84.8th percentile for possession percentage among World Cup teams. Their dominance shows in results, placing them in the 81.8th percentile for goals per match.
Argentina’s approach relies on a fluid system where constant movement and numerical advantage matter more than fixed positions. Their structure during the 2022 World Cup featured a back four supporting an overloaded midfield. The team creates passing triangles around whoever has the ball to ensure multiple options.
“More than Messi, it is that pressing, technically comfortable and versatile midfield which has defined Argentina during Scaloni’s tenure,” according to tactical analysts. Players like Rodrigo De Paul illustrate this versatility. The former attacking midfielder now moves between defensive duties and creative responsibilities based on game situations.
Mexico’s counter-attacking approach
El Tri opts for a more pragmatic counter-attacking style, particularly against stronger teams. Their tactical approach against Germany in a previous World Cup showed they knew how to “slice through the defense and force their opponents into desperate defending”.
Mexico’s strategy features a unique set-piece defense that becomes an attacking weapon. El Tri boldly keeps three attackers up front during opposition corners. This forces opponents to leave four defenders back and creates opportunities for quick counter-attacks.
The Mexican side shows tactical flexibility too. Juan Carlos Osorio’s team averaged 60% possession in competitive matches. This adaptability became clear in the 2022 World Cup match against Argentina. They switched to a defensive 5-3-2 formation and successfully disrupted Argentina’s creative play for extended periods.
How lineups have evolved over time
Both teams adjust their formations based on opponents and available players. Argentina’s traditional 4-2-3-1 balances the team while maximizing Messi’s effect. He plays as “a second striker with the responsibilities of a No. 10”. Scaloni has tested dual strikers without Messi and widened the field to make up for lost central creativity.
Mexico’s progress reflects practicality. They move from their preferred 4-3-3 to more defensive setups like the 5-3-2 against stronger opponents. This tactical flexibility shows El Tri understands that “despite conceding 0.57 goals per game in qualifying, Mexico rates poorly in most critical defensive metrics”.
These tactical contrasts create fascinating chess matches whenever these rivals meet internationally.
Players Who Fueled the Fire
The Mexico vs Argentina football rivalry burns brighter with each passing year as players’ personalities add more drama to this storied matchup.
Lionel Messi’s dominance and comments
Lionel Messi stands tall among all players in this rivalry. The Argentine superstar remains unbeaten against Mexico in six games and has found the net four times since 2006. His recent comments stirred up controversy when he downplayed the rivalry: “They put themselves in a position of having a rivalry with us that doesn’t really exist. There is no comparison between Argentina and Mexico”.
Mexican fans took offense, particularly after the 2022 World Cup jersey incident when boxing champion Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez called out Messi for disrespecting Mexico’s jersey. The tension grew even more when Messi scored against Club América in a 2025 friendly and celebrated by showing three fingers – a clear jab at Argentina’s World Cup titles compared to Mexico’s empty trophy cabinet.
Santiago Muñoz and Ramiro Árciga’s recent impact
New talent keeps this rivalry alive and kicking. Santiago Muñoz made his mark in the 2024 U-23 friendlies by scoring a vital penalty after Castro brought him down. The spotlight belonged to Ramiro Árciga who “sent a bomb into the net” for Mexico’s second goal. Their combined efforts led Mexico to a commanding 3-0 win.
Historic figures: Maradona, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, and more
Diego Maradona left an indelible mark on this rivalry. His magnetic personality shaped Argentina’s football identity both as player and coach. Mexico’s legendary Cuauhtémoc Blanco matched this energy with his own brand of confrontation.
Blanco showed his trademark confidence before the 2022 World Cup: “They have Messi, but we have Chucky Lozano”. This summed up Blanco’s career perfectly – he was known as someone who “likes to challenge his rivals, to laugh at them, to celebrate his goals in a very special manner”. His skill and fiery spirit made him the perfect foil to Argentina’s stars.
Numbers tell their own story – Argentina leads with 16 wins to Mexico’s 4 in their 32 meetings. Yet these larger-than-life personalities keep fans coming back for more.
Fan Culture and Media Narratives
The Mexico vs Argentina rivalry burns with passion, but most of this intensity happens away from the actual football matches.
How fans perceive the rivalry in both countries
This rivalry shows a clear one-sided nature. Mexican fans see Argentina as their most important football nemesis. Yet Argentines don’t call Mexico one of their main rivals. An Argentine fan put it simply: “It’s OK for the Mexicans to have a joke with us, we can take that. But they are not in the same football league as Argentina”.
This unbalanced relationship often leads to hostile situations. Thousands of fans wrapped in flags created a deafening atmosphere at Lusail Stadium during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The situation turned ugly when Mexican fans taunted Argentines with insults about Messi and the Falklands War. Street fights broke out and left several fans hurt.
Lionel Messi seemed puzzled by all this animosity: “The truth is I don’t know what happened with Mexico—when this rivalry started. I’ve always felt very loved by the people of Mexico; I never disrespected anyone”.
Social media platforms have added fuel to this football feud. The “jersey incident” after Argentina beat Mexico in the 2022 World Cup shows this perfectly. Boxing champion Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez spotted footage of Messi supposedly disrespecting a Mexican jersey. His threatening tweets sparked a worldwide social media storm.
TikTok has turned into a battleground for this rivalry. Hashtags like #MexicoVsArgentina pull in millions of views. Popular streamers from both countries compete in exhibition matches that attract huge online audiences and stir up more competition between their fan bases.
Kings League and crossover events
Gerard Piqué’s Kings League offers a fresh stage for this rivalry. This seven-a-side competition features teams owned by streamers and internet celebrities who stream their matches live on YouTube and Twitch.
The league’s success comes in part from these internet personalities getting involved. They’ve built strong connections with their core audience. A Kings League executive explained it well: “Our streamers can create emotion in their content that makes the community of fans very engaged”.
Summing all up
The Mexico-Argentina football rivalry has grown into a captivating story of tactical battles, controversial moments, and unforgettable performances over many decades. Argentina leads with 16 wins to Mexico’s 4, but all the same, recent matches show how competitive this rivalry has become. Without doubt, both countries still measure themselves against each other at every level.
These teams’ tactical battles make for fascinating viewing. Argentina likes to keep the ball and build attacks through their skilled midfielders. Mexico takes a different approach – they counter-attack against stronger teams but can switch up their style when needed. This clash of styles creates exciting matches whenever these teams meet.
Star players have definitely added fuel to this rivalry’s fire. Messi’s brilliant record against Mexico stands out, while new stars like Santiago Muñoz and Ramiro Árciga have made their mark. On top of that, legends like Diego Maradona and Cuauhtémoc Blanco shaped this rivalry with their larger-than-life personalities and brilliant performances.
The sort of thing I love about this rivalry is how differently both sides see it. Mexican fans see Argentina as their big rivals, but Argentines don’t call Mexico one of their main opponents. Social media has turned moments like the 2022 World Cup jersey drama into worldwide talking points.
This football relationship will keep growing through competitions of all types. Argentina stays strong with multiple World Cup titles, but Mexico’s recent wins show they can challenge their South American rivals. Stats might favor Argentina, but the unpredictable nature of this rivalry means fans worldwide are happy to predict what happens next.
Here are some FAQs about Mexico vs Argentina:
When did Mexico play Argentina?
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Will Argentina vs Spain play?
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Which is larger, Mexico or Argentina?
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How many World Cups has Argentina won?
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When did Mexico beat Spain?
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How many times has Mexico beaten Brazil?
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