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In a disjointed and rough match, Argentina ended up taking the lead over Mexico thanks to goals from Lionel Messi and Fernandez (2-0). What revive them in the race for the knockout stages.
Argentina avoid a humiliating exit. By emerging victorious from the Mexican trap (2-0), Saturday, November 26, Lionel Messi’s teammates are reviving after their defeat against Saudi Arabia. In this group D which also includes Poland – which the Albiceleste will face on Wednesday – all the teams can still qualify… or lose everything.
In the incandescent atmosphere of the Lusail stadium, Lionel Messi and his teammates presented themselves with their backs to the wall after their surprise defeat against Saudi Arabia. An issue that certainly paralyzed them against a Mexico that came to block them. The 5-3-2 used by the “Tri” left little space for Scaloni’s men to exploit.
The Mexicans put a lot of impact in the duels and intensity in the recovery while completely leaving the monopoly of the ball to the Albiceleste.
The first thrill of the match even takes place in the surface of Argentina. A Mexican free kick is well taken, but neither Herrera at the near post, nor Lozano at the second, manage to recover the ball which flies in front of Martinez’s goal (10e).
On the Argentinian side, you have to wait for the 34e minute to see a real opportunity. A free kick is fired in by Lionel Messi and Ochoa is forced to push back with both fists. The Mexican goalkeeper is then the victim of a fault by Martinez. A few minutes later, it was a well-worked cross from Di Maria that brought danger. Lautaro Martinez places his head but it goes over (40e).
Mexico replies with a free kick. Vega takes care of the right foot. The ball goes over the Argentinian wall and forces Martinez to a parade to catch the ball that was spinning in his skylight (44e).
A stroke of genius by Messi
While the match is bogged down in boredom after returning from the locker room, Lionel Messi unlocks the score thanks to a stroke of genius of which he has the secret. Di Maria offers the ball to the PSG striker at the entrance to the Mexican area. This one arms without momentum a strike which finds the small net (65e1-0).
A goal that liberates the Argentine game a little. Messi shifts Acuna on the left, who crosses well back towards Molina. The strike of the latter flies away in the sky of Doha (70e). Alvarez is then served in depth and arrives in the Mexican area, to cross back towards Messi. The defense intervenes in extremis (77e).
Unable to be dangerous, the Mexicans will never return to the match and will even let Fernandez worsen the score with Messi as a decisive passer (87th). If they are to hope to see the round of 16, they will have to show more because they are in last place in the group with a small point. As for the Argentina of Lionel Messi, it is not yet completely out of the woods, another result than the victory against Poland and it could take the door.
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