Messi kept Argentina in the World Cup
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| Messi kept Argentina in the World Cup |
Lionel Messi must have known that he had to do something to keep Argentina in the World Cup. Messi did. When it seemed impossible to break Mexico's defense, he scored a great goal. Later in the end of the match Enzo Fernandes also scored another great goal from his pass.
Argentina finally won the match at Lucille Stadium with 2-0 goals. The victory that kept Argentina and Messi in the World Cup. After winning the last match of the group against Poland, Argentina is now sure of the next round. There will be a chance even if the match is drawn.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has made 5 changes to the eleven of the match lost to Saudi Arabia, who took the team against Mexico on Saturday. Replaced all three leaving only Nicolas Otamendi in defence. Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez and Marcos Acuña entered the team. Leandro Paredes and Papu Gomes dropped to the bench to make way for Guido Rodriguez and Alexis McAllister in midfield.
But the impression of that on the field was hardly felt, rather, Argentina did not seem to be seen in the first half. This team was unbeaten in 36 consecutive matches until they lost to Saudi Arabia. There is no rhythm in the game, the Argentine players could not even play four consecutive passes. Instead, he made a visually wrong pass one after another.
Mexico kept their midfield and defense frozen, waiting for every attack. Both teams looked to play some physical football, with repeated fouls slowing the game down.
Mexico gets the first chance of the match. Luis Chavez threw the ball into Argentina's box from a free-kick in the 9th minute. But Hector Herrera couldn't put his feet on the ball. Argentina's chance came in the 32nd minute. Mexico fouled Rodrigo de Paul while clearing the ball from the corner. Free-kick awarded to Argentina. But Lionel Messi's shot was turned away by Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
In the 40th minute, Lautaro Martinez headed in Angel Di Maria's cross from the right. But the ball goes over the goal bar. Mexico received a free-kick in the 44th minute. But Alexis Vega's shot went straight to Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Even after the break, Argentina's game did not increase much in the beginning. In the 60th minute of the match, the coach of Argentina replaced Rodriguez, Martinez and Montiel with Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvares and Nahuel Molina. Minutes later, Argentina's wait for a goal ran out.
In the 64th minute, Di Maria made a pass from the right side. Messi was almost 25 yards straight from the goalmouth. From there, his shot went through the gap between three or four Mexican players and into the net. The Mexican goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa, could not catch the ball as he swung to the left.
The Argentine forward scored 93 goals in 167 matches in the country's jersey. Messi also touched the legendary Maradona in the number of goals in the World Cup (8). Only Gatabriel Batistuta scored more goals in the World Cup for Argentina than these two, 10.
After that goal, some speed came in Argentina's game. Substitute Julian Alvarez made a great run from a left pass in the 76th minute into the Mexico box. But Messi could not use his cross.
The last 15 minutes were played more in Mexico's half, with more of the ball at Argentina's feet. Argentina's reward came in the 87th minute. Argentina created space with short passes rather than sending the ball directly into the box from corners. There, Enzo Fernandes sent the ball from Messi to Mexico's net with a great speed. That goal confirmed that Argentina will not lose points in this match.
In addition to the victory, the last 15-20 minutes of the game can be found familiar Argentina. It is also probably a big relief for Argentina fans before the next match.
