Lionel Messi (35) has erased the disgrace against Saudi Arabia himself. In an underprivileged match, the class of the seven-time Golden Ball came to the surface again, after the break he broke the spell with a perfectly placed shot. Argentina saved, although it still has to fight against Poland on the final day to secure qualification.
Key moment: Lionel Messi’s goal, we can’t ignore it. The match was deadlocked, but he punched them open.
Man of the match: So Messi. You just have to do it, with all the spots aimed at you, force it again.
We will also remember him: Enzo Fernandez. The 21-year-old midfielder was allowed to come in after the break and made it 2-0 with a nice bang.
Dueling. Conflict. bleating. hassle. Theater. Everything was there in the first half between Argentina and Mexico, except good football, chances and goals. Unfortunately. For the viewer, but especially for Lionel Messi, because after the surprising defeat against Saudi Arabia – and the qualification that was at stake as a result – he had to guide his country to victory. All the spotlights, all the cameras were on him. Everyone looked in his direction. So were all the Mexican defenders, who were constantly on his skin and did not allow an inch of freedom. As a result, the Flea could not create any danger at all. Or yes, once, with a free kick from the side. But Ochoa boxed the ball away easily. For the rest, the balls mainly flew over his head. After all, his teammates were also uninspired. The Albiceleste had about seventy percent possession, but did nothing with it.
Messi before rest. Doubting.
Photo: REUTERS
Gerardo Martino, the coach of the opposing team, was well organised. He is therefore an Argentinian and he was previously at the helm of his own country – he knows Messi and co. from the inside and the outside. He could certainly live with a 0-0 at half time. If it stayed that way, his team would have two points and could finish against the Saudis on the final day. Taking Risks: Why Should He? The only annoying thing was Guardado’s failure just before the break. The captain had to go off injured and could only console himself with the equalization of a record – he played five World Cups in a row.
Like Mbappe
Lionel Scaloni had made five substitutions in his starting team – fairly rigorous. Nothing stopped the Argentinian national coach from intervening again at half-time, but he retained confidence in the same eleven. The tactics also remained unchanged: looking for as many Messi as possible and hoping for a flash. However, the sights of the seven-time Golden Ball were not yet sharp. With a good acceleration he quickly decorated a free kick in an interesting place, but just like in the first match he aimed it high over.
However, it was like with France: just after the hour mark, the star player dissolved his devils. Like Mbappé, Messi broke the spell. About twenty meters from goal, he was passed by Di Maria and with a perfectly placed low slider in the corner he was able to beat Ochoa. The roof of the Lusail Stadium, where the World Cup final will soon take place, came off. The Argentinian fans went completely crazy, especially when their hero came to greet them again after the celebration with his mates – fists clenched.
Messi after rest. Cheering.
Photo: AP
Persistence was now the message, or finish it completely. Substitute Molina had another good shooting chance, but missed them. Enzo Fernandez, on the other hand, did hit the mark, and how. After a short corner, he entered the box from the left and he curled the ball nicely into the top right corner. If it was Messi’s 93rd international goal, it was his very first for the 21-year-old Benfica midfielder. Nice moment, because that’s how the three points were in. Argentina is approaching the 1/8th finals again, but beware. It still has to go full steam ahead against Poland on the final day. To be sure, it has to win, otherwise both Mexico and Saudi Arabia could bounce back to second place.
Argentina: E. Martínez, Montiel (63 Molina), Otamendi, Li. Martinez, Acuña, De Paul, Rodríguez (57′ Fernandez), Mac Allister (70′ Palacios), Messi, Di Maria (70′ Romero), La. Martinez
Mexico: Ochoa, Alvarez (66′ Jimenez), Araújo, Moreno, Montes, Gallardo, Guardado (42′ Gutierrez), Herrera, Chavez, Lozano (73′ Alvarado), Vega (66′ Antuna)
goals: 64′ Messi 1-0, 87′ Fernandez 2-0
Yellow cards: 22′ Araujo, 43′ Montiel, 50′ Gutierrez, 66′ Herrera, 89′ Alvarado
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Ita)
Spectators: 88.966
