FIFA World Cup 2022: Mercurial Lionel Messi strikes vs Mexico to maintain Argentina alive in competitors

FIFA World Cup: Lionel Messi placed on an all spherical present towards Mexico of their second group stage recreation incomes a lot wanted 3 factors for Argentina within the competitors.

Doha,UPDATED: Nov 27, 2022 02:31 IST

Lionel Messi celebrates his purpose towards Mexico in FIFA World Cup. (Courtesy: Reuters)

By India Today Web Desk: The stadium bowed all the way down to Lionel Messi’s brilliance but once more because the mercurial star rescued Argentina towards Mexico in a tightly contested affair. Messi’s low shot within the second half was the distinction between the 2 sides until the very last minutes earlier than Enzo Fernandez’s curling effort took the sport away from Mexico.

The veteran and the 21-year-old teen gave Argentina a lot wanted respiration area of their group desk, maintaining the hopes alive of reaching the Round of 16. Argentina had fell to a shock defeat towards Saudi Arabia that prompted 5 adjustments of their squad tonight, however their 2-0 win towards a gritty Mexico as soon as once more restored their fame as among the best sides within the competitors.

Lionel Messi was key for Argentina, first breaking the impasse after which helping Fernandez within the 87th minute of the sport.

Record purpose on file look

Lionel Messi equalled Diego Maradona’s twenty first look within the FIFA World Cup as he took the sector for Argentina. Messi’s purpose on the evening, his eighth was additionally the joint highest by an Argentine striker, alongside Guillermo Stabile and Maradona. The former Barcelona man had a kind of video games the place it turned tough to take the ball off him as the sport progressed. Mexico tried arduous to tough up Messi, however because the legs drained, Messi’s affect grew on the ball, discovering the appropriate areas and the proper alternatives on the purpose.

Mexico lose observe in second half

Mexico started the sport nicely, however couldn’t resond to Argentina’s adjustments. Lionel Scaloni made adjustments within the midfield, assault in addition to within the full again positions, which opened up the play for Argentina. With Lautaro Martinez and Montiel struggling at their respective positions, Scaloni sought to usher in gamers who may outrun the Mexican legs with ease. This created extra alternatives for Argentina, who on the finish prevailed.

Terrible first half

One of probably the most drab first half shows of the present version of the FIFA World Cup, Argentina and Mexico didn’t get any significant possession of the ball.

Argentina have been closely booed by the followers whereas attempting to construct up play from the again line, as they stitched up just a few lateral passes, failing to go ahead with the ball. The finest probabilities of the primary half, got here via two freekicks, one for all sides. Alexis Vega’s highly effective proper footer was snatched out of skinny air by a flying Emi Martinez, whereas Lionel Messi swerving effort from near the appropriate touchline was fisted away by Guillermo Ochoa.

It might be a lie to inform that Argentina have been the dominant aspect within the first half, as Mexico confirmed quite a lot of braveness off the ball, closing in on Argentine gamers as shortly as attainable.

This was not the case within the second half of the match, as tiring Mexican legs gave the Argentines break up second further on the ball, which suited to the enjoying model of the Lionel Scaloni aspect.

Mexico now need to win each their video games to undergo to the following spherical, whereas Argentina have, a minimum of in the meanwhile, put themselves out of hazard of getting knocked out within the group phases.

Edited By:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published On:

Nov 27, 2022