DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Guillermo Ochoa’s World Cup magic didn’t work in opposition to Lionel Messi and Argentina. Mexico’s goalkeeper, identified for giant saves in soccer’s largest event, had stopped Robert Lewandowski’s penalty try in El Tri’s World Cup opener. However he was helpless in opposition to Messi’s second-half blast from distance within the sixty fourth minute on Saturday evening. Enzo Hernandez added a second purpose within the waning minutes to offer Argentina a 2-0 victory. “The distinction was as a result of they’d Messi,” ahead Henry Martin stated. Doha’s golden Lusail Stadium, which is able to host the World Cup last subsequent month, was stuffed with 88,966 individuals, giving it a really feel of a last reasonably than a group-stage match. After a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in its opener, Argentina’s hopes of advancing in Group C had been diminished. Hoping to stave off elimination, the onus was on Messi to attain after a reasonably timid first half. So he did. From outdoors the field, Messi’s low, left-footed shot sailed out of Ochoa’s attain and into the web.On the last whistle, Ochoa and Messi grasped palms, and the goalkeeper identified by his nickname Memo affectionately patted a gloved hand on his opponent’s head. Ochoa didn’t converse to reporters after the sport. It is perhaps the ultimate World Cup for each males, who in Qatar every joined an unique membership of gamers who’ve been to 5 editions of of the event. Like Argentina is dependent upon Messi, El Tri have appeared to Ochoa as a result of their offense is sputtering and so they have but to attain in Qatar. They’ll not solely must win on Wednesday within the last group match in opposition to Saudi Arabia, however they’ll additionally want some assist.Ochoa’s save of Lewandowski’s penalty try preserved a scoreless draw for Mexico in opposition to Poland, including to a World Cup mystique that began when he fended off six Brazilian photographs — together with a harmful header from Neymar — in a group-stage draw in opposition to the hosts in 2014.Then in Russia 4 years in the past, Ochoa had 9 saves in Mexico’s 1-0 victory over defending champion Germany within the group opener.Ochoa was first examined by Messi within the thirty third minute, when he punched away a free kick from the nook. Messi had one other free kick from some 25 yards out within the fiftieth that sailed over the wall and nicely above the purpose. Although the possibilities are slim, Mexico remains to be vying for an eighth straight journey to the World Cup’s knockout spherical. El Tri had been trying to advance previous the spherical of 16 and play in an elusive “quinto partido” — a fifth sport. It’s one thing that has eluded the crew since internet hosting the 1986 event.“We did our job and sadly we left with defeat,” Martin stated. “So it hurts, however tomorrow we have now to be serious about what’s subsequent within the subsequent sport, as a result of we have now one final likelihood and we have now to make the most of it.” El Tri has by no means crushed Argentina in 4 makes an attempt on the World Cup, and Martino’s worst defeat as Mexico coach was by the hands of his countrymen in September 2019, when Lautaro Martínez scored a hat trick in a 4-0 win.___
Messi steals the magic that Ochoa, Mexico had in 1st sport
