Argentina struggled massively to start well for the second game in a row, but second-half strikes from Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández kept their qualifying chances alive, giving the Albiceleste a comfortable 2-0 win. As for Mexico, they have their backs against the wall following another dismal performance.
The opening minutes were closely-fought, and neither side managed to establish supremacy, with both sides tweaking their tactical approaches compared to the opening game and adapting to unfamiliar setups. But it was Mexico’s 3-5-2 formation that appeared to make the greater impact, and Lionel Scaloni’s men struggled to create clear scoring chances, with Lionel Messi conspicuous in his inability to make an impact in the final third, despite knowing his final shot at lifting the greatest trophy of all was hanging in the balance.
However, that did not translate to Mexico troubling Argentine custodian Emiliano Martinez, save for a few attempts from Alexis Vega. Despite their fans audibly clamouring for a goal, against a team Mexico had lost to in all three prior World Cup H2Hs, Gerardo Martino’s men looked happy to merely protect the backline and play out a scoreless draw. Indeed, the most noteworthy event of the first half ended up being Andres Guardado’s injury a few minutes before the break.
At first, Argentina did not change much in their approach for the second half, and they were visibly starting to get anxious. But Messi was there to save the day once more, as he took advantage of a touch outside the box and drilled a 25-metre effort past Guillermo Ochoa, finding the back of the net for his second goal in the competition and sending his blue and white worshippers into raptures at the 89,000-strong Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Determined not to play the fool in Messi’s sixth straight goalscoring international, Mexico responded with two quick substitutions, deploying Raúl Jiménez and Uriel Antuna. But El Tri’s attacking woes continued, and Argentina finished in the ascendancy as gaps in the Mexico lines appeared, ultimately doubling their lead through a spectacular curled effort from Enzo Fernández in the 87th minute. La Albiceleste then closed the match out with ease, earning a seismic win that puts them in second place over Saudi Arabia based on their superior goal difference
As for Mexico, they must beat the Green Eagles in their next outing, while also benefiting from an Argentina win over Poland, to even have a shot at reaching the knockout stages. Anything else will see El Tri fail to survive the group stage for the first time since Argentina won their maiden world title way back in 1978, while Gerardo Martino’s men also still risk becoming the first Mexico side ever to score no goals at the finals.
Messi delivers the magic once again
Messi cut a frustrated figure for the first 45 minutes here, pushed to the margins as this crucial game descended into a bitty affair spoiled by fouls, with little of quality on show.
It was when the game settled down, the stoppages reduced and a football match broke out that Messi was finally able to exert his influence, wandering far and wide on the vast expanse of Lusail Stadium before finally making the decisive contribution.
In an ear-splitting atmosphere, Messi turned up the volume even more with that breakthrough goal that finally broke Mexico down and reignited Argentina's World Cup.
Messi produced two perfect touches with that wand of a left foot, one to control and one to arrow a finish beyond Ochoa's outstretched right hand.
It was what all of Argentina hoped for and demanded from their great talisman and, as so often before for club and country, the 35-year-old produced when they needed him most.
This highly-touted side had faced real jeopardy. Argentina knew defeat would finish them here in Qatar. Messi knew defeat would end his dream of lifting the World Cup, the major honour missing from his glittering and extensive honours list.
He followed another superstar in Kylian Mbappe, whose two goals against Denmark put France into the last 16, and he showed here he is determined not to be outshone by the other members of his elite group.
Mexico, backed by their own massed ranks of fans, were in no mood to step aside and it took that big moment to unlock them, bowing to Messi as so many others have done before.
There is still work to do for Argentina when they face Group C leaders Poland, who boast a sporting icon of their own in striker Robert Lewandowski, but the celebrations at the final whistle gave the impression that a team hotly tipped to lift the World Cup at this same Lusail Stadium believe their show is now on the road thanks to their captain and resident genius.
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