Argentina’s victory over Mexico in a close matchup helped keep their World Cup ambitions alive thanks to a moment of trademark magic from Lionel Messi.
Following the shocking loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening match, Messi and Argentina knew defeat would kill their ambitions of making it to the round of 16 after just two games.
Mexico was frustrating Messi in an attritional match, especially in the first half, which was rife with fouls and pauses that prevented Argentina from gaining any momentum.
After 64 minutes, Messi changed everything when he controlled a pass with his left foot in one motion before executing a flawless strike past Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and into the bottom corner.
The masses of Argentina supporters in a crowd of 88,966 went wild in celebration and relief as their World Cup campaign got back on track.
Enzo Fernandez added a superb second with a curling shot into the top corner three minutes from time but it was Messi who made the breakthrough and the difference. Victory in a tough final Group C game against Poland will send them into the knockout phase.
‘Where there is Messi, there is hope for Argentina’
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