Lusail, Qatar: Elegant strikes by Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez earned Argentina a 2-0 win over feisty Mexico in a pulsating ambiance on the Lusail Stadium on Saturday and bought the South American favourites’ World Cup marketing campaign up and working.
Surprised 2-1 by Saudi Arabia of their opening Group C match, Argentina knew defeat would ship them out of the match however they began poorly, struggling to deal with Mexico’s excessive press as Messi was denied time and area to function.
Argentina’s talisman Lionel Messi in motion towards Mexico. Photograph: Argentina/Twitter
Argentina’s captain was nameless within the first half, his sole contribution of notice a header that ballooned over the bar, as his staff didn’t carve out a single respectable likelihood.
However picked out by Angel Di Maria simply exterior the Mexico field within the sixty fourth minute, Messi made no mistake, arrowing a low shot by a crowd of defenders into the nook.
Fernandez doubled the lead within the 87th with an exquisite curling effort.
Argentina and Mexico gamers in motion. Photograph: Argentina/Twitter
The win took Argentina as much as second place on three factors, one behind leaders Poland, who they play of their final group match.
Saudi Arabia are third, stage on factors with Argentina however with an inferior purpose distinction.