Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after his team won the World Cup group C soccer match between Argentina and Mexico, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)World Cup 2022, Argentina vs Mexico Football Match Highlights: Lionel Messi came up with another crucial goal for Argentina in a 2-0 win over Mexico on Sunday that ignited the team’s World Cup chances. Messi took a touch from Angel Di Maria’s pass across the face of the area and drove a low shot from 25 metres into the bottom corner in the 64th minute. He ran towards Argentina’s fans with his arms outstretched before getting mobbed by his jubilant teammates. He looked emotional as he grabbed and shook his jersey, then blew a kiss to the crowd. Substitute Enzo Fernandez added a second goal in the 87th minute.
In the last game, Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half double as France became the first team to book their spot in the World Cup knockout stage on Saturday by defeating a feisty Danish team 2-1 in a tense encounter. Earlier, Poland bolstered their chances of reaching the World Cup’s last 16 for the first time since 1986 after goals from Piotr Zielinski and Robert Lewandowski killed Saudi Arabia’s efforts to advance a game early. In the first match of the day, facing a must win situation in Group D, Australia came out strong against Tunisia to register a 1-0 win and keep their Round of 16 hopes alive. It was only a third World Cup finals win for the Socceroos, who took the first half lead with a Mitchell Duke goal.
Lineups:
Argentina (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez, Gonzalo Montiel, Rodrigo De Paul, Marcos Acuna, Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Guido Rodriguez, Nicolas Otamendi, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez, Lisandro Martinez; Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa, Nestor Araujo, Cesar Montes, Alexis Vega, Hector Moreno, Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado, Hirving Lozano, Jesus Gallardo, Luis Chavez, Kevin Alvarez.
Messi = Maradona. In terms of world cup goals. Both have now 8. Gabriel Batistuta has netted the most for Argentina (10 goals). And Messi has now scored in six successive games for Argentina.
Foul on Messi again. He is everywhere at the moment and Mexico can't contain him at the moment. Martinnez will hoof this up field as the clock ticks down. And that's it.Argentina have survived. Messi's World Cup dreams live on.
6 minutes have been added on. Argentina are almost there. Mexico are distraught. But they couldn't have done anything about those two goals. Simply magical, they were
ARG 2-0 MEX
Oh my god!!!! What a peach of a goal!!! Fernandez cuts inside from the short corner and just curls it beyond the reach of Ochao. Nothing the mexican goalie could do about it.
ARG 2-0 MEX
Mexico with the corner and it's cleared and Argentina can break away with the ball. Messi to de Paul who is tackled. Huge let off for Mexico.
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Argentina's assistant coach Pablo Aimar very emotional after Messi's goal. incidentally, he was Messi's idol growing up. "“Pablo Aimar was, and is, my idol. I really like to watch him play and I have followed his career since the beginning at River Plate,” Messi once said.
10 mins plus added time in the game now. Argentina with most of the ball but without another end product. The game has settled in a slow rhythm. ARG will look to counter, content to just let Mexico have the ball.
ARG 1-0 MEX
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Great one two from Messi and Alvarez and Messi's low cross is saved by Ochua. But no, it's a goal kick. Messi couldn't keep it in.
ARG 1-0 MEX
Argentina have a spring in their steps now and a renewed burst of energy. they are pressing the Mexican players to oblivion, looking for that second goal.
ARG 1-0 MEX
Cristian Romero and Ezequiel Palacios replace Alexis Mac Allister and Angel Di Maria.
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Messi in the centre of everyting Argentina do now. Plays a pass on the path of an onrushing Acuna who has fired that over the bar!!! Argentina looking dangerous now.
ARG 1-0 MEX
And that's what he is all about!!!! What a stunner!!!! Messi gets the ball from Di Maria and just shoots a low stinger which finds the goal. That's something out of nothing!!!! This man!!! Oh god!! This man!!!
ARG 1-0 MEX
Argentina now doing all the pressing as Mexico fail to keep the ball. But Argentina can't find that killer pass with a Mexican appendage always there at the key moment.
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Another Argentine move breaks down. They are asking most of the questions now. Messi plays a lofted through but the Argenyine forward did not run as the ball goes out for a goal kick.
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Messi to take the free kick. Disappointing effort as the ball whistles well over the bar. Not what the fans came here to see.
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Messi drives and is chopped down by two Mexican players. An element of panic to that challenge. Dangerous position for the free kick as the Mexican defender goes into the book.
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Mexico have started the brighter of the two sides with Lautaro dispossessed and an attack building. Nothing comes of it as an awry kick by an Argentine defender in his own penalty box sees Martinez come and collect it.
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The players are back out and Argentina need a creative spark to get something from this game. And that main in the Number 10 jersey is most probably the one who can provide it.
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