Messi marks Argentina’s vital victory over Mexico
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Lionel Messi produced a moment of signature magic to help keep Argentina’s World Cup hopes alive with victory in a tense clash against Mexico.
In a cauldron of noise at the Lusail Stadium, Messi and Argentina knew defeat would end their hopes of reaching the last 16 after just two games after a stunning loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening match .
The tension was building as Mexico frustrated Messi in a game of attrition, especially in a first half full of fouls and stops that never allowed Argentina to gain momentum.
Messi changed everything in the 64th minute when he took a touch to control a pass with his left foot before drilling an unerring shot past Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
The masses of Argentina supporters in a crowd of 88,966 erupted in celebration and relief as their World Cup campaign got back on track.
Enzo Fernández added an excellent second with a curling shot into the top corner three minutes from time, but it was Messi who stepped up and made the difference.
Victory in a tough Group C final against Poland will send them into the knockout stages.
More to follow.
how to play
Rate players out of 10 during or after the game. The evaluator will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Valuation interval key = Give it up = Pure perfection
Argentina
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Template number23Player NameMartinez
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Template number4Player NameMontiel
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Template number19Player NameOtamendi
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Template number25Player NameMartinez
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Template number8Player Namecoin
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Template number11Player NameDi Maria
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Template number7Player NameFrom Paul
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Template number18Player NameRodríguez
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Template number20Player NameMcAllister
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Template number10Player Namemessiah
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Template number22Player NameMartinez
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Template number9Player NameAlvarez
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Template number13Player NameRosemary
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Template number14Player Namepalaces
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Template number24Player NameFernandez
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Template number26Player NameMolina
Mexico
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Template number13Player NameOchoa
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Template number26Player NameAlvarez
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Template number2Player NameAraujo
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Template number3Player Namemounts
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Template number15Player NameMoreno
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Template number23Player NameGallardo
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Template number24Player NameChavez
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Template number16Player NameHerrera
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Template number18Player Namesaved
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Template number22Player NameLozano
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Template number10Player NameVega
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Template number9Player NameJimenez
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Template number14Player NameGutierrez
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Template number21Player NameAnthony
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Template number25Player NameAlvarado
alignments
Argentina
Formation 4-4-2
- 23Martinez
- 4MontielBooked at 43 minutesReplaced byMolinaat 63′minutes
- 19Otamendi
- 25Martinez
- 8coin
- 11Di MariaReplaced byRosemaryat 69′minutes
- 7From Paul
- 18RodríguezReplaced byFernandezat 57′minutes
- 20McAllisterReplaced bypalacesat 69′minutes
- 10messiah
- 22MartinezReplaced byAlvarezat 63′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Armani
- 2Foyth
- 3Tagliafico
- 5walls
- 6Pezzella
- 9Alvarez
- 12roll
- 13Rosemary
- 14palaces
- 15belt
- 16Almada
- 17Gómez Villaverde
- 21Dybala
- 24Fernandez
- 26Molina
Mexico
Formation 5-3-2
- 13Ochoa
- 26AlvarezReplaced byJimenezat 66′minutes
- 2AraujoBooked in 22 minutes
- 3mounts
- 15Moreno
- 23Gallardo
- 24Chavez
- 16HerreraBooked at 66 minutes
- 18savedReplaced byGutierrezat 42′minutesBooked 50 minutes away
- 22LozanoReplaced byAlvaradoat 73′minutesBooked at 89 minutes
- 10VegaReplaced byAnthonyat 66′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Talavera
- 4Alvarez
- 5Vasquez
- 6arteaga
- 7Romo
- 8Rodríguez
- 9Jimenez
- 11Funes Mori
- 12elevation
- 14Gutierrez
- 17pine forest
- 19Sanchez
- 20Martin
- 21Anthony
- 25Alvarado
- Referee:
- Daniele Orsato
- Assistance:
- 88,966
Live text
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End of game, Argentina 2, Mexico 0.
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End of second half, Argentina 2, Mexico 0.
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Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jesús Gallardo (Mexico).
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Foul by Lionel Messi (Argentina).
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Héctor Moreno (Mexico) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina).
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Luis Chávez (Mexico) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Héctor Moreno (Mexico).
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Roberto Alvarado (Mexico) has been shown a yellow card for dangerous play.
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Nicolás Otamendi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Roberto Alvarado (Mexico).
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Foul by Enzo Fernández (Argentina).
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Luis Chávez (Mexico) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Goal! Argentina 2, Mexico 0. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the top right corner. Assist by Lionel Messi after a corner.
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Corner, Argentina. Corner taken by Néstor Araújo.
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Corner, Mexico. Corner taken by Nicolás Otamendi.
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Foul by Exequiel Palacios (Argentina).
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Uriel Antuna (Mexico) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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