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Are miserable Mexico finished? Winners, losers & ratings as El Tri near worst World Cup exit since 1978 after Argentina defeat

El Quinto Partido has never looked further away.

A fifth game?! Nope, after Saturday night, there seems to be little chance of Mexico even reaching a fourth.

El Tri are on the brink of infamy after their 2-0 loss to Argentina at Lusail Stadium. They're close to becoming the first Mexico team since 1978 to not reach the knockout stage. Just as bad, they haven't scored a goal yet.

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With just one point through two games, Mexico now face a must-win game against Saudi Arabia, and even three points there might not be enough.

They were undone on Saturday by Lionel Messi, the Argentina legend who scored the go-ahead goal to keep his own nation's tournament hopes alive.

Mexico had done a fantastic job of quieting Messi's magic until the 64th minute, when they lost him. Half a yard of space, one low shot and, boom, three points. It felt impossible for a toothless Gerardo Martino-led group to respond at the other end.

The embattled coach has one game to prevent this World Cup from becoming an all-time lowlight. Never say never, but on current form, a turnaround feels unlikely.