The 35-year-old’s contact and shot towards Mexico was a second of technical perfection but it surely got here in a second of dire want for his facet, who misplaced to Saudi Arabia of their Group C opener.It was a poor and nervous show from the South American giants they usually nonetheless have work to do within the closing match towards Poland – the place solely a win will assure qualification.Nizaar Kinsella was at Lusail Stadium to fee the Argentina gamers…Emiliano Martinez – 6Impressively not solely saved however caught Alexis Vega’s well-hit free-kick on the finish of the primary half. The Aston Villa goalkeeper had a really quiet night with Mexico exhibiting nice want however missing high quality within the closing third.Gonzalo Montiel – 4Took an elbow to the face from Vega early on and regarded nervous in possession. He was caught offside in Argentina’s first harmful assault. Montiel was booked for scything down Luis Chavez on the finish of the primary half.READ MORELisandro Martinez – 5Picked forward of a dropped Cristian Romero who struggled towards Saudi Arabia, the Manchester United centre-back was a type of trying nervous.Nicolas Otamendi – 7One of the few optimistic performers, Lionel Scaloni’s trusted skilled head used the ball to dominate that space of the sport.Marcos Acuna – 6The Sevilla left-back produced a superb cross for Messi to have his facet’s first shot. Scaloni responded by pushing him increased up the pitch within the second half.Alexis Mac Allister – 6Another one rotated into the beginning XI, the Brighton man initially performed on the left facet of midfield after which moved centrally the place he performs for his membership. He carried out effectively as soon as within the center.Guido Rodriguez – 5Rodriguez had minimal influence on the sport and was substituted earlier than the hour mark.Rodrigo De Paul – 4The Atletico Madrid midfielder was fortunate to carry onto his place and repeatedly gave the ball away within the opening interval of the match.Lionel Messi – 8Messi had a troublesome header for Argentina’s first effort on the right track but it surely went each excessive and vast. He began the second half a lot better, producing a dribble that pressured Erick Gutierrez to carry him down. Messi would miss the following free-kick which was effectively inside his standard vary.Finally, soccer god mode activated and an ideal first contact and shot broke down the strong Mexican defence. He did so whereas matching Argentina’s all-time look report at World Cups together with his twenty first show, equalling the enduring Diego Maradona.Lautaro Martinez – 3The Inter Milan ahead spent extra time defending in his personal field early on than impacting the assaults. His first probability was woefully wasted late within the first half after a superb quick nook routine.Stunning after Lautaro’s hat-trick within the final assembly between the 2 groups in 2019.Angel Di Maria – 7Di Maria created a superb probability for Lautaro which was squandered. Di Maria’s second-half cross induced chaos in El Tri’s field however nobody may get on the tip of it.Argentina’s greatest creator on the evening picked out Messi, who did the remaining. The getting older winger got here off late into the second half having completed his job effectively.SubstitutesNahuel Molina – 6The Atleti defender slotted in and quietly went about his enterprise, not advancing too far past the midway line.Cristian Romero – 6Mexico had even much less influence as soon as he was launched, maybe regaining some belief after struggling final time towards Saudi Arabia. Exequiel Palacios – 6The Bayer Leverkusen man sat in midfield to assist his facet dangle on for his or her lead.Enzo Fernandez – 8The Benfica talisman pulled out a sensational strike from the bench, reducing inside and curling a shot past Guillermo Ochoa late on. His capability to maneuver the ball rapidly gave his facet a foothold within the recreation.Julian Alvarez – 6The Manchester Metropolis striker was quiet after being launched however was higher than Lautaro.
Argentina scores: Messi magic however assist forged flounder in nervy win
