Argentina star Lionel Messi on Saturday delivered one of the most important goals of his career to lead his team to a 2-0 win over Mexico and keep His dream of winning soccer’s biggest prize still alive.
Messi took a pass from Angel Di Maria before driving a low shot from 25 meters into the bottom corner to give Argentina the lead in the 64th minute.
Substitute Enzo Fernandez added a second goal in the 87th minute, ensuring Argentina bounced back from a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia.
Fernandez’s goal was his first for Argentina and it was an excellent one. He feigned to go to his left before shifting the ball to his right foot and curling a spectacular shot high and beyond the reach of Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
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Argentina’s players poured onto the field to join the celebrations at the same stadium where there was so much despair after the shocking loss to Saudi Arabia.
After the final whistle, Messi was almost in tears as he grabbed and shook his jersey in front of Argentina’s celebrating fans, then blew a kiss and looked to the sky.
“It’s a weight off our shoulders. t gives us joy and peace of mind to start again,” Messi said.
He added: “We knew we had to win today, that another World Cup was starting for us, and we knew how to do it.”
Argentina’s #FIFAWorldCup hopes stay alive! 🇦🇷@adidasfootball | #Qatar2022
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 26, 2022
Poland leads Argentina and Saudi Arabia by one point with one match to play. Mexico is last and will face the Saudis next.
