Lionel Messi-led Argentina returns from the dead, slightly missing elimination from the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The 2-0 victory against tight opponents, Mexico, has kept the hopes alive for the South Americans to progress to the round of 16. Despite almost equal ball possession, Argentina had proved their worth finally at the Lusail Stadium.
After the upsetting defeat of 2-1 to Saudi Arabia earlier, this was a do-or-die match for the Argentine, and the opponents, Mexico, proved to be very stubborn as they completely shut down Messi’s magic in the first half of the match with multiple players marking the star player.
This would let the other Argentines have an open field, yet no one could break the deadlock. The Mexican defense, if not the best, was enough to be a wall against the Argentine attack. With their rough physical play, the Mexicans booked themselves a total of 4 yellow cards and multiple fouls.
Argentina, one of the favorites to win the Qatar World Cup, now seems to be struggling to remain in the race to the knockouts. But, at last, the space opened, and the opportunity presented itself in the match’s second half.
With the prospect of elimination, the legendary Lionel Messi himself had to prove his magic, so he scored the opening goal for the South Americans and brought them back from the dead. After a frustrating match of 64 minutes, Messi’s magic returned, and he pierced the Mexican defense and netted the fiery ball in the corner of the frame.
The opening goal had roused encouragement to the rest of the team and provided more loopholes in the Mexican defense. Hence, not long after the opening goal, Enzo Fernandez finalized Argentina’s victory in the 87th minute and electrified the whole Lusail stadium with a brilliant goal assisted by non-other than the iconic Player of the Match, Lionel Messi himself.
The stripped glory of the Argentines did return for a fraction. Still, with the struggle they put in for this crucial victory against the Mexicans, will Messi’s Argentina be able to hang on against stronger teams even if they move forward to the round of 16?
We will only know that later because first, there is the fiery faceoff between the former and current Barcelona stars Lewandowski and Messi in the next Group C drama, Poland versus Argentina.
