Argentina 2-0 Mexico: Lionel Messi's magic helps Albiceleste secure vital Group C victory
Lionel Messi scored his second goal of the 2022 World Cup as he helped Argentina edge past Mexico to claim three vital points in Group C.
The South Americans were initially the tournament favorites but suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. However, they managed to come back in the round of 16 with a well-deserved victory at the Lusail stadium.
PSG striker Messi is probably playing his last World Cup and he set Argentina on fire with a long-range effort about 25 minutes from time. Benfica midfielder Rodriguez put the result beyond doubt with a sublime curling effort three minutes down.
They still need a win against Poland to be certain of going through, but there were at least some signs of life from this side after their traumatic loss here four days ago.< /p>
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made five changes after the Saudi clash but his side failed to strike in a disappointing first half littered with fouls.
It's a miracle that it took until the 22nd minute for Italian referee Daniele Orsato to issue a first yellow card. Mexican Nestor Araujo was the recipient after raking his studs on the leg of Argentine left-back Marcos Acuna.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez took a kick to the face of Mexican striker Hirving Lozano in a game with no real pace.
Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez headed a presentable chance after Angel Di Maria sent a ball in from the right after a short corner.
Mexico captain Andres Guardado, earning his national-record 179th cap, came off in the 41st minute for Erick Gutierrez who received a fitting welcome in the game when he was slammed by Argentina right-back Gonzalo Montiel.
El Tri almost punished the South Americans as Alexis Vega got the resulting free kick over the wall, but it was held well by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.< /p>
Argentina finally found some fluidity in their passing through balls in added time of the first half as Di Maria and Messi linked on the edge of the box and Acuna put in a dangerous cross from the side from the left, but Cesar Montes stretched out a leg to ward off the danger.
The relentless fouls continued in the second half as Gutierrez knocked Messi down to the edge of the box. When Messi curled the free kick over the bar to boos from his own fans behind the goal, it felt like the game was over.
But Argentina fans should have known not to doubt their hero.
Di Maria, wide on the right, spotted Messi in a pocket of space just outside the box in the 64th minute. That was more than enough for him to pick his spot, low in the corner to the left of Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa.
Fernandez squandered a glorious chance for a second, cutting wide after Acuna's cross picked his run, but more than made amends in the 87th minute.
Receiving the ball from Messi after a short corner, he beat Gutierrez with a step forward and curled a right-footed shot past Ochoa.
READ MORE: Who are the favorites for the 2022 World Cup? England fall back after USA draw
Lionel Messi scored his second goal of the 2022 World Cup as he helped Argentina edge past Mexico to claim three vital points in Group C.
The South Americans were initially the tournament favorites but suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. However, they managed to come back in the round of 16 with a well-deserved victory at the Lusail stadium.
PSG striker Messi is probably playing his last World Cup and he set Argentina on fire with a long-range effort about 25 minutes from time. Benfica midfielder Rodriguez put the result beyond doubt with a sublime curling effort three minutes down.
They still need a win against Poland to be certain of going through, but there were at least some signs of life from this side after their traumatic loss here four days ago.< /p>
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made five changes after the Saudi clash but his side failed to strike in a disappointing first half littered with fouls.
It's a miracle that it took until the 22nd minute for Italian referee Daniele Orsato to issue a first yellow card. Mexican Nestor Araujo was the recipient after raking his studs on the leg of Argentine left-back Marcos Acuna.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez took a kick to the face of Mexican striker Hirving Lozano in a game with no real pace.
Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez headed a presentable chance after Angel Di Maria sent a ball in from the right after a short corner.
Mexico captain Andres Guardado, earning his national-record 179th cap, came off in the 41st minute for Erick Gutierrez who received a fitting welcome in the game when he was slammed by Argentina right-back Gonzalo Montiel.
El Tri almost punished the South Americans as Alexis Vega got the resulting free kick over the wall, but it was held well by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.< /p>
Argentina finally found some fluidity in their passing through balls in added time of the first half as Di Maria and Messi linked on the edge of the box and Acuna put in a dangerous cross from the side from the left, but Cesar Montes stretched out a leg to ward off the danger.
The relentless fouls continued in the second half as Gutierrez knocked Messi down to the edge of the box. When Messi curled the free kick over the bar to boos from his own fans behind the goal, it felt like the game was over.
But Argentina fans should have known not to doubt their hero.
Di Maria, wide on the right, spotted Messi in a pocket of space just outside the box in the 64th minute. That was more than enough for him to pick his spot, low in the corner to the left of Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa.
Fernandez squandered a glorious chance for a second, cutting wide after Acuna's cross picked his run, but more than made amends in the 87th minute.
Receiving the ball from Messi after a short corner, he beat Gutierrez with a step forward and curled a right-footed shot past Ochoa.
READ MORE: Who are the favorites for the 2022 World Cup? England fall back after USA draw
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