Sports

World Cup: Messi shines as Argentina thrash Mexico

Lionel Messi’s superb long-range strike helped revive Argentina’s flagging World Cup hopes as they claimed a crucial 2-0 win over Mexico at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar in Saturday.

Argentina came into the game knowing defeat would mean elimination after their shock 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia and they laboured again until Messi’s 65th-minute intervention.

The 35-year-old, playing at what is expected to be his last World Cup, picked up Angel Di Maria’s pass outside the box and arrowed a precise shot into the bottom corner to break the deadlock in a scrappy and ill-tempered encounter.

Messi then turned provider as Argentina made the game safe three minutes from time, his pass finding substitute Enzo Fernandez who cut inside and curled a sumptuous finish past Guillermo Ochoa.

Having avoided a defeat to Mexico which would have ended their World Cup participation, Argentina have their Group C destiny in their own hands again.

Victory against Poland on Wednesday night will guarantee not only their progression but also put them in pole position to advance as group winners – to deny them top spot in that scenario, Saudi Arabia would not only need to beat Mexico but also win by a larger margin than Argentina.

Poland will progress if they avoid defeat to Argentina – a win would guarantee their progression as group winners – while a draw for Saudi Arabia against Mexico and a defeat for Poland would only see the Saudis qualify if Poland lose heavily.

As for Mexico, they have to beat Saudi Arabia to have any hope of qualifying.

A win for Mexico and a defeat for Argentina against Poland would definitely be sufficient for Mexico to finish as runners-up while a win for Mexico and a draw between Argentina and Poland would see the two South American teams finish level on points and runners-up status determined by goal difference.

The Star