Messi’s Argentina seek rapid redemption against Mexico
The Argentines suffered one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history, with a 2-1 reverse to low-ranked Saudi Arabia, as captain and top scorer Lionel Messi embarked on his fifth and final attempt to win the only prize that has eluded him.
Twice it was Argentina who knocked them out, but on Wednesday Mexico were pleading for help from them as they began the night with a mountain to climb from the bottom of Group C.
LUSAIL, QATAR: Following his side’s loss to Argentina in their FIFA World Cup match, Mexico coach Gerardo Martino remarked that when star Argentina striker Lionel Messi gets the ball, he can be very harmful within 30 seconds. Lionel Messi’s superb long-range strike and Enzo Fernandez’s stunning goal guided Argentina to a dominating victory over Mexico […]
Argentina 2-0 Mexico
Goals: Messi (64) Fernandez (87)
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a crucial victory over Mexico in Lusail Stadium to position the South Americans’ World Cup quest firmly back on track.
An edgy game featured next to no goalmouth action until Messi lit a match under the contest after 64 minutes. When the 35-year-old genius sent a 22-yard free-kick over the bar six minutes after half-time Argentina’s World Cup life was hanging in the balance.
Lionel Scaloni’s team knew defeat would spell the end of the road in Qatar following a shock opening loss to Saudi Arabia. But Messi gathered Angel Di Maria’s pass to fire unerringly into the bottom corner from outside the area.
Enzo Fernandez, on as a second-half substitute, quashed any lingering anxiety when he strode into the box following a short corner to curl beyond goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and start an Argentinian party at the scene of their Saudi-inflicted desolation only four days ago.
Key moment
Argentina appeared lethargic and short on invention for the opening hour of a game they didn’t dare lose. Even the incomparable Messi was labouring, trundling on the periphery and comprehensively clearing the bar with his one dead-ball opportunity soon after the restart.
It’s the quiet ones you have to watch, goes the saying. And it never pays to take your eyes off Messi, regardless. Sure enough, the Paris Saint-Germain player evoked memories of his tremendous last-ditch strike to defeat IR Iran in Argentina’s second group game of Brazil 2014 when he took charge of his team’s destiny at this competition.
The assist was supplied by another Argentina stalwart in the 126-cap Di Maria. Messi controlled the pass from his long-time oppo, roughly 22 yards from goal. Mexico, perhaps not fully switched on to the danger, were slow to close the seven-times FIFA Ballon d’Or winner and how they will regret their hesitation.
Ochoa was hitherto unbeaten in Qatar. The strike, then, needed to be true and accurate – and Messi’s crisp shot met both criteria, scooting inside Ochoa’s left post. The unthinkable prospect of Messi’s attempt to win a first World Cup going south after two matches was banished with one swipe of the most famous left foot on the planet.
Key stat
The combined total of four efforts on goal in the first half was the lowest in a World Cup game since Netherlands v Argentina in 2014 (three). That match went to penalties.
Messi drew level with Diego Maradona on eight World Cup goals and moved two behind national team record holder Gabriel Batistuta's haul of 10.
Quotes
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni: "You know what happened The number 10 scored the goal. He did what he does best, scoring goals, supported by the whole squad and it was thrilling in every aspect."
Mexico coach Gerardo Martino, whose team need victory over Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for any chance of a last-16 spot: "As long as there is a chance we will try. Saudi Arabia need to win. So do we. They need to score. We need to score. Footballers are used to bouncing back and using all our chances. Is it difficult? Yes, the second goal of Poland against Saudi Arabia was harmful. So was Argentina's second goal against us.
"It's difficult but there is a chance. We need a winner in the other match. And the more they score the better. That would be helpful."
Player of the match
Lionel Messi
Argentines breathed a collective sigh of relief Saturday afternoon as the country obtained a decisive 2-0 victory over Mexico dissipating doubts that had emerged about Lionel Messi’s team after the shock loss against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
DOHA, Nov 26: Argentina will seek to save their World Cup skins in Qatar on Saturday when Lionel Messi and his teammates face Mexico in a match they cannot afford to lose.
Nov 22: Ranked 51st in the world, Saudi Arabia could have been done and dusted in the first half as Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Argentina had three goals ruled out for offside.
But Saudi Arabia flipped the game on its head in a stunning 10-minute period after half-time, Saleh Al-Shehri levelling with a low effort and Salem Al Dawsari firing them ahead to spark pandemonium in the stands.
Having shown their ruthlessness at one end, the Green Falcons demonstrated a ruggedness at the other, holding a stellar Argentina front line at bay to secure only their fourth World Cup win in history and throw the group wide open.
Lionel Scaloni's Argentina came into the tournament among the favourites, on the back of a 36-game unbeaten run that included winning the 2021 Copa America.
They now have it all to do to keep alive their hopes of a first global triumph since 1986 and give Messi a fitting ending to what is very likely his World Cup swansong.
They face Mexico on Saturday, while Saudi Arabia take on Poland.
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