Argentina hold last practice ahead of 'final' against Mexico

Messi and his Argentina team are being mocked after a humbling 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia that has left their presence at the tournament in big — and completely unforeseen — danger.

Argentina needs to immediately bounce back against Mexico on Saturday, otherwise an embarrassing early exit awaits.

This time, the teams' meeting comes in the group stage but it already has the feel of a do-or-die occasion just seven days into the tournament, especially for Argentina.

This is Lionel Scaloni's first crisis as Argentina coach — he hadn't lost a game before the Saudis' rally at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday — and it remains to be seen how he reacts. Will he give the same players a chance to make amends? Or did he see enough bad things in the opening group game to necessitate some changes to his lineup?

Center back Cristian Romero, full backs Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico, and midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes seem most at risk.

Of course, Messi is going nowhere from the starting lineup, even if he could be deployed differently.

Argentina's 36-match unbeaten run ended with the loss to Saudi Arabia, and Scaloni said he was prepared for it.

Argentina will take a win of any kind on Saturday back at Lusail Stadium, where the World Cup final will also be played on Dec. 18.