Messi goal helps keep Argentina World Cup hopes alive

“The first game cost us,” said Messi. “We knew that we had to win today, that another World Cup was starting for us and we knew how to do it. “It was a tough game to pick ourselves up for because Mexico play well. “They played the first half with intensity but the second half we relaxed and became ourselves again.”

Messi’s goal meant he tied the late Diego Maradona on eight goals and 21 appearances at the World Cup for Argentina. It came a day after Argentines marked the second anniversary of Maradona’s death. The goals were two rare moments of quality in an often poor and tense encounter where the occasion seemed to get to everyone, except seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi.

But Argentina still need to win their final group match against Poland to guarantee a place in the knock-out stages. “We cannot let up now. Every game is a final now, we cannot make any mistakes,” said Messi.

– Fractious, forgettable –

The first half was an entirely forgettable affair. Mexico’s back five and aggressive approach left Argen’tina with little space or time to construct anything. And the Mexicans never had enough players forward to cause their opponents problems when trying to counter. The two sets of fans deserved so much more as they created a feverish atmosphere in the Lusail Stadium that was close to capacity with more than 88,000 supporters.

But even Messi could make no inroads, struggling to get on the ball and even less so in areas where he could cause damage. The best early chance saw big Mexico centre-back Cesar Montes stab wide a devilish dead ball delivery from Luis Chavez. Argentina came closest when Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa made a hash of trying to punch away a Messi free-kick that was curling dangerously towards goal.

The referee’s whistle saved Ochoa as he collapsed to the ground claiming he was fouled.That was another feature of the first period — players rolling around on the turf clutching their faces after imagined contact.

– Key substitutions –

Alexis Vega produced Mexico’s best effort with a fierce free-kick that Emiliano Martinez held well in the Argen’tina goal. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni wasted little time in the second half to change things up, bringing on three substitutes by the 63rd minute, including Manchester City youngster Julian Alvarez for the ineffectual Lautaro Martinez.