The reigning champions of the South American Championship scored their first points in Group C after a shocking 1-2 opening defeat to Saudi Arabia and remained in contention for a place in the round of 16. The Mexicans have a single point for a 0:0 draw with Poland, they did not win or score for the fourth time in a row at the World Cup.
The Argentines will finish the opening part of the tournament against Poland on Wednesday. They beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 on Saturday and lead the table with four points. Mexico will compete against three-point Saudi Arabia in a parallel match.
Photo: Hassan Ammar, CTK/AP
Dangerous situation in front of Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.Photo: Hassan AmmarČTK/AP
Argentinian coach Scaloni made five changes to the starting line-up compared to the match against the Saudis. From the beginning, defender Montiel or midfielders Guido Rodríguez and Mac Allister got a chance, for example.
Photo: Hassan Ammar, CTK/AP
Mexican Kevin Álvarez (left) in a fight with Ángel Di María from Argentina.Photo: Hassan AmmarČTK/AP
The two-time world champions did not create any major chances in the first half despite the solid Mexican defense. Shortly before the break, Argentinian Lautaro Martínez’s header was inaccurate. On the other side, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez caught Vega’s free kick with a spectacular jump.
The image of the game did not change much even in the beginning of the second act. Messi first sent the ball high over the crossbar from a free kick. In the 64th minute, however, the 35-year-old attacker exceptionally got more space from the Mexicans and beat goalkeeper Ochoa with a placed ground shot from outside the penalty area.
Lionel Messi steers Argentina to victory over MexicoVideo: Czech television
Messi scored his second goal of the Qatar tournament and eighth overall at the World Cup, equaling his legendary predecessor Diego Maradona. Offensive player Paris St. Germain improved his record in the national team to 93 goals in 167 matches.
The Mexicans did not bother to answer. Three minutes before the end, the youngest member of the Argentine team, Fernández, added the insurance. The 21-year-old midfielder scored an exhibition shot after Messi’s pass. Fernández scored his first goal in his fifth international start.
Great goal by Argentine youngster Enzo Fernández.Video: Czech television
Argentina are unbeaten against Mexico in their 11th straight game and have won their fourth World Cup meeting.
| FIFA World Cup Qatar – Group C (Lusail): |
| Argentina – Mexico 2:0 (0:0) |
| Goals: 64. Messi, 87. Fernández. Referee: Orsato – Carbone, Giallatini – Irrati (video, all It.). ŽK: Montiel – Araújo, Gutiérrez, Herrera, Alvarado. Viewers: 88,966. |
| Argentina: E. Martinez – Montiel (63. Molina), Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Acuňa – De Paul, G. Rodriguez (57. Fernandez) – Di Maria (69. Rosemary), Messi, Mac Allister (69. Palacios) Lautaro Martinez (63. J. Alvarez). Coach: Scaloni. |
| Mexico: Ochoa – Montes, Araújo, Moreno – K. Alvarez (66. Jimenez), Herrera, Guardado (41. Gutierrez), Chavez, Gallardo – Lozano (73. Alvarado), Vega (66. Antuna). Trainer: Martino. |
| You can find a summary of Saturday’s program of the WC in Qatar HERE |
| Table: | |||||||
| 1. | Poland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2:0 | 4 |
| 2. | Argentina | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3:2 | 3 |
| 3. | Saudi Arabia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2:3 | 3 |
| 4. | Mexico | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0:2 | 1 |
