Lionel Messi scored a priceless goal to help see off Mexico and keep Argentina’s World Cup alive.
Messi and his team-mates headed into the game knowing they could not lose after Saudi Arabia served up a seismic shock in the sides’ Group C opener and an attritional affair at the Lusail Stadium only heightened Argentina nerves.
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But Messi finally made the breakthrough in the 64th minute when he controlled Angel di Maria’s pass and rifled past Guillermo Ochoa to send Argentina’s fans wild.
Enzo Fernandez found the top corner with a brilliant second (87) to seal three precious points and Argentina will advance to the last 16 if they beat Poland in their final group game.
Result: Argentina 2-0 Mexico
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Argentina vs Mexico key statistic
Lionel Messi has scored in his past six appearances for Argentina, matching a previous run between November 2011 and September 2012, and drew level with a late legend after his crucial intervention.
8 – Lionel Messi has now scored as many World Cup goals as Diego Maradona (8), with only Gabriel Batistuta (10) netting more for Argentina at the tournament overall. Breakthrough. pic.twitter.com/cXIcjGbd3p
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 26, 2022
Key moment of Argentina vs Mexico
Mexico’s cautious plan for nothing really to happen seemed to be working — until they left Messi free 20-odd yards out and he made them pay.
Suddenly, Argentina’s nerves were gone, and Fernandez’s fine second goal was well deserved.
Player of the match — Lionel Messi
Who else?
The Athletic’s Dermot Corrigan wrote during his live updates: “The official The Athletic Player of the Match is… Lionel Messi, and it would be quite a shock if FIFA choose anyone else either.
“Mexico’s well organised lines had succeeded very well in bottling him up for the first hour of the game, and at that stage all of his minders were set on sharing the award among them.
“But Messi found a yard of space, and then found the bottom corner of the net. Deciding the game, and kick-starting Argentina’s World Cup.”
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What does it mean?
Argentina would have crashed out of the tournament had they have lost — and a draw would have sent them into the final game needing to beat Poland with a three-goal swing.
But victory sees them leapfrog Saudi Arabia into second on goal difference and means their fate is firmly in their hands.
A win of any type against Poland will send them into the knockout stage.
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If Poland and Argentina draw, Argentina’s progress will depend on the result of the other game between Saudi Arabia and Mexico.
A draw in that game would also secure knockout football for Argentina but a Saudi Arabia win would put them through at Argentina’s expense. A Mexico win would mean that tiebreakers come into play — starting with goal difference.
What’s next?
Both Group C deciders take place on Wednesday, November 30 at the same time: 19:00 GMT, 14:00 EST, 11:00 PT.
Argentina face Poland, while Mexico take on Saudi Arabia in two crunch fixtures.
The winner of Group C will face the runners-up in Group D, with the second-placed side in Group C taking on Group D’s winners.
Read more: Argentina eliminated the Netherlands on penalties to advance to the semi-finals
(Photo: Getty Images)