Mexico will be boosted by the return to fitness of Arsenal forward Carlos Vela for their last-16 clash with Argentina after a hamstring injury kept him out of their final World Cup Group A match against Uruguay.

Gonzalo Higuain and Javier Mascherano are among the players expected to return to the Argentina team after being rested for the 2-0 win over Greece. Defender Walter Samuel will be missing through injury for a game where Argentina boss Diego Maradona believes it is vital his side do not underestimate their opponents.

"Mexico are a team who you need to respect, and we are going to do that. But they should also respect us and our history," he said.