- Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 in Group C at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
- Lionel Messi redeemed the “Albiceleste” with the 1-0. He equalized 2 marks from Diego Armando Maradona in one day.
- Largest World Cup crowd since 1994: The stadium in Lusail (88,966 seats) is sold out.
- In the 2nd game in group C, Poland beats Mexico.
And what does Lionel Messi actually do? You could have asked yourself that after a good hour. “La Pulga” didn’t come into play against Mexico. He clearly missed a free kick in the 51st minute, otherwise he had to struggle with the Mexican hardness. The Central Americans kept it 0-0 and even had better chances.
But in the 64th minute he did what world-class players do in these situations: he made the difference out of nowhere. 25 meters from the goal he was not marked quite as closely, played by Angel Di Maria and shot with lightning speed. His low shot landed in the lower right corner, the redeeming 1:0 was a fact.
Games, goals, death anniversary
The goal was Messi’s 8th World Cup goal, leveling him with Diego Armando Maradona. That’s not all: the game against Mexico was Messi’s 21st World Cup appearance, and he is now level with the Argentina legend in this statistic as well. And since sometimes there are coincidences that don’t exist – Messi equalized these marks just one day after Maradona’s second anniversary of death.
The young Enzo Fernandez put the lid on the game. The 88,966 spectators in the sold-out Lusail Stadium were amazed when the 21-year-old flicked the ball wonderfully into the far corner after a step-over. Messi provided the template for this. The tension gradually eased, the jubilation was boisterous. And the playful ease of the “Gauchos” seemed to be back.
Thanks to the victory, the Argentines avert early elimination in the group stage. A second defeat after the Shame on Saudi Arabia would have led to it. Lionel Scaloni’s side still need a win in the last group game against Poland to ensure a safe place in the round of 16.
Unruly Mexicans
The game was shaped by the Mexicans’ style of play, especially in the first half. They acted without much risk and from a massed defensive. In addition, they fought the duels at the limit as far as the hardness was concerned.
The Mexicans appropriately created 3 chances in the first half from free kicks. The scene in the 45th minute was noteworthy: Alexis Vega forced a save from Emiliano Martinez with a well-placed direct shot. Argentina only had one chance: Lautaro Martinez headed over the goal in the 40th minute.
For the Mexicans it was a bitter defeat after the sacrificial fight. A draw would have done more justice to what was shown.
Here’s how to proceed
Who makes it from Group C to the round of 16 will be decided on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. In the 3rd round Mexico meets Saudi Arabia, at the same time Argentina plays Poland.