Messi wins the first final for Argentina

Messi wins the first final for Argentina

The '10' came to the rescue of the albiceleste against a Mexico still alive

MADRID, 26 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Argentina forgot its surprise and historic defeat against Saudi Arabia in its World Cup debut, beating Mexico (2-0) so as not to say goodbye to its dream, in a duel in which the Aztec team wanted to scratch something positive to extend their options but ran into with a great Leo Messi, who dressed as a hero for his people.

Scaloni modified the drawing of his team with five new faces in the eleven. The coach of the double world champion brought on Montiel, Lisandro and Acuña in defense, to the detriment of Molina, Romero and Tagliafico, while Paredes and 'Papu' Gómez made way for Mac Allister and Guido Rodríguez. A plan that was effective, but did not find its reward until the second half with good goals from Messi and Enzo Fernández.

With this victory, the albiceleste placed second in Group C and depends on itself to get a ticket to the round of 16, although that's how they all are. A victory on the last day against Poland could even leave them leaders, although everything will depend on what happens in the clash between Saudi Arabia and a Mexican team that will speed up their options before saying goodbye.

The anxiety of wanting to show in a hurry that what happened on the first day was just a setback condemned the Argentines for a good part of the first half. Lacking ideas and with little fluid football, the albiceleste did not finish finding a Leo Messi covered at all times by two Mexican players.

Under the premise of not conceding anything to the rival, both teams forgot about the offensive part, leaving the first 45 minutes in which the two goalkeepers did not have to intervene. The clearest play came at the edge of the break with a header from Lautaro Martínez that went wide, while the 'Tri' had theirs with a free kick by Alexis Vega that Dibu Martínez blocked.

The face of Argentina changed after the break, knowing the need for the three points to keep their aspirations alive. The albiceleste decided to take a step forward and focus all their game on the rival area, defended by a Mexican wall. However, Leo Messi found the fissure and after receiving a ball from Di María on the edge of the area, he invented a shot from the edge that broke the equalizer and unleashed madness on the South American bench.

The Argentine '10', leader of his team, reappeared when his team needed him most and, with that left-footed foot that continues to amaze, he adjusted a ball to the strain of the post against which 'Memo' Ochoa could do little or nothing . From there, good minutes for the albiceleste, who, almost with time up, would end up sealing the clash with a great strike from Enzo Fernández to the squad with a pass from Messi himself.

--RESULT: ARGENTINA, 2 - MEXICO, 0. (0-0, at halftime).

ARGENTINA: Dibu Martinez; Montiel (Molina, min.64), Otamendi, Alexander, Acuña; De Paul, Guido Rodriguez (Enzo Fernandez, min. 57), Alexis Mac Allister (Palaces, min.69); Messi, Lautaro (Julian Alvarez, 63rd minute) and Di Maria (Romero, 69th minute).

MEXICO: Ochoa; Álvarez (Raúl Jiménez, min. 66), Moreno, Montes, Araujo, Gallardo; Andrés Guardado (Gutiérrez, min.41), Héctor Herrera and Chávez; Hirving Lozano (Alvarado, min.73) and Alexis Vega (Antuna, min.66).

--REFEREE: Daniele Orsato (ITA). He admonished Montiel (min.42) by Argentina. And to Araujo (min.22), Gutiérrez (min.50), Herrera (min.67) and Alvarado (min.90) in Mexico.

1-0, 64 minutes: Leo Messi.

2-0, min.87: Enzo Fernández.

--ESTADIO: Lusail Iconic Stadium.