Argentina have joined Italy at the top of Group D with an impressive 5-1 win over Mexico at the Nimbutr Stadium in Bangkok. Cristian Burruto scored twice as the dominant Albiceleste cruised to victory against El Tri to strengthen their status as genuine title contenders. Fernando Larranaga’s side relied on a slice of good fortune to take a fifth-minute lead though, with Santiago Basile’s left-foot shot hitting the post but rebounding back into the net off the head of goalkeeper Miguel Estrada. The South Americans were nonetheless good value for their lead, and they extended that advantage after 13 minutes when Maximiliano Rescia finished off a slick counter-attack from close range. Another sparkling team move led to a brilliant third goal, which Martin Amas side-footed emphatically high into the net following a gorgeous flick by Matias Lucuix. Burutto then made his entrance with two goals in as many minutes, finishing off a rebound for the first before cutting in from the left to wrong-foot Estrada and put Argentina 5-0 up. Mexico did pull a goal back, much to the delight of the Thai fans, when Jorge Rodriguez stuck out a thigh to divert the ball home, but it was little consolation against a side markedly superior. The quotes “This was our first game at the Futsal World Cup, and it was a very tough one against a team whose coach that I admire very much. The few things I know about futsal I learned from him. He is the master. We knew this would be a great challenge, and very difficult, but we are proud that we played the whole game with courage and never sat back against a very strong team,” Ramon Raya, Mexico coach. “It was a very hard game. Mexico are not well known opponents to us, we haven’t played each other often before, but my players adapted well and gave a good performance. I appreciate their efforts very much,” Fernando Larranaga, Argentina coach. FIFA