Argentina kept its hopes of qualifying for the final price of the Qatar soccer World Cup, thanks to its captain and star Lionel Messi, who led it to beat Mexico 2-0 on Saturday at Lusail Stadium in the second round of Group C competitions.
Messi and company started the 18th appearances of the 1978 and 1986 champions in the worst possible way after a shocking fall to Saudi Arabia 1-2 in an encounter during which they got away with a goal from current French star Paris Saint – Germain and the former Spanish Barcelona.
Amidst the danger of the season finishing in the first round for the first time since the 2002 edition, Messi was punctual again on Saturday in Lusail scoring the opener in the 64th minute with a fine shot, then passing the ball as the second goal scored also from substitute Enso Fernandez with a characteristic archery (87).
Messi gave his country the fourth victory in the final against Mexico out of four matches, after the first edition in 1930 (6-3) and the final price of each edition 2006 (2-1) and 2010 (3-1) .
Coach Lionel Scaloni’s side have lifted the lead to three points, and their fate is in their hands, as they need to win in the last round against Poland, who won by four points on Saturday following a 2-0 victory over ‘Saudi Arabia.
And Mexico’s task was complicated in reaching the final price for the eighth time in a row and trying to equal or surpass the result achieved in 1970 and 1986 on its soil when it reached the quarterfinals, as its balance remained a point before the latest round meeting in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
