Lionel Messi’s magic in the second half broke down Mexican defence in their match in group C, as he scored one goal and assisted another on Saturday, both in the second half to earn a very important victory against their South American counterparts.
Argentina came into the match badly requiring a win already having lost to Asian football giants Saudi Arabia in a great upset.
Mexico had drawn with Poland in their opening match and a point against Argentina would have been a great result with match against Saudi Arabia in the offing.
Mexican defence was closed knitted and hard-pressing till the goal from Messi was scored.
In the first half, the crowded Mexican half blunted each Argentinian move.
At least two players were on Messi the whole time.
The Mexican strategy worked perfectly. Although Argentina had 68% possession, they could make only one shot on goal but no shots on target.
The second half appeared to be going in similar fashion, till a lapse of concentration left Messi unmarked for a second or two, and that was enough for Messi to score the all important goal.
As Argentina made a move on the right flank, the Mexicans were drawn towards it leaving Messi for a few seconds. That lapse proved critical.
Messi received the ball from outside the box and whipped off a low shot with his left foot to the left corner beyond the reach of a full-stretched Mexican keeper Ochoa.
The goal brought the stadium into life.
When you score your first #FIFAWorldCup goal at 21 years old 🫶 pic.twitter.com/u0bdtxrpoo
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 26, 2022
Mexico started looking for an equalizer, however it was Messi’s night as Argentina scored their second goal in the 84th minute to revive their hopes of qualifying for the knock-out rounds.
Messi made what seemed to be a casual pass, and Enzo Fernandez, the young star of Argentina, drove a wonderful shot beyond the reach of keeper Ochoa.
In the other game of Group C, Poland overcame a confident Saudi Arabia by two goals to nil.
Robert Lewansdoski scored his first goal in World Cup while assisted the other goal to have a memorable match.
In the 41st minute, Lewandowski pull back a pass from which Zielinski scored with a powerful shot from close range.
Saudi Arabia had the opportunity to equalise when they were given a penalty in the 43rd minute.
Al-Dawsari’s penalty to the right corner was saved by a diving Polish keeper Schezny with a powerful hand to it.
Schezny then recouped immediately to save the shot from the rebound to send the shot above the cross bar.
Schezny’s double save proved very critical, as Saudi Arabia’s attacks caused a lot of chances.
Late into the second half, the Saudi defence made a big blunder to give away to ball to Lewandowski who beat the keeper to score his first World Cup goal.
No matter how old you are, that first #FIFAWorldCup goal hits different. pic.twitter.com/nJrQhCSla7
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 26, 2022
Saudi Arabia, coming in the back of a famous victory against Argentina, had maximum of the possession and in the process had 16 shots on goal and with five on target.
Al-Dawsari’s penalty miss will be remembered by their fans for a long time as a draw in the match would have made them top probable for the knock-out stages.
Poland tops the group with Argentina in second, but they meet in the final match of the group. Victory for either will make them qualify for the knock-out round, while a draw will be sufficient for Poland. All the teams are still in the running for making the knock out rounds, making the remaining two matches nail-biting.
