Messi’s quest to win the World Cup is renewed thanks to the 2-0 victory over Mexico.Magical 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.
Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez’s golazos kept the party alive for Argentina! 🇦🇷
See the highlights on FIFA+
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 26, 2022
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 has made his mark on this game, breaking the deadlock in style.He receives the ball outside of the box and fires off a shot which beats Ochoa’s dive and nestles into the bottom right corner.Lusail Stadium erupts.
Peter Drury on Messi’s goal.. poetic pic.twitter.com/qMUU1R6NMQ
— eliz (@drEAchhami) November 26, 2022
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.
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.
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
1 – Lionel Messi is now both the youngest (18y 357d vs Serbia in 2006) and the oldest (35y 155d vs Mexico today) player to both score and assist in a single World Cup game since the start of the 1966 tournament. Longevity. pic.twitter.com/e6Ak6fmI8l
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 26, 2022
After two completes games, the Group C standings have Poland on top with four points, and Argentina moves from the bottom of the table into second spot with three.
They are tied with Saudi Arabia however, but enjoy a two-goal advantage which could prove handy.
Mexico meanwhile will have to settle with fourth place after being unable to score any goals so far in their campaign.
Lionel Messi’s goal with Peter Drury’s commentary.
It doesn’t get much better than this. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/peC4wbt8lk
— Ndubueze Prince Chiagoziem (@NdubuezePrince5) November 26, 2022
Argentina will next face Poland on November 30th, which will most likely settle who takes the top spot, while Saudi Arabia face Mexico.
Player of the match:Lionel Messi.
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