Lionel Messi was on target once again as Argentina got their first win at the 2022 FIFA World Cup after defeating Mexico 2-0 on Saturday night.
2022 FIFA World Cup
Result: Argentina 2-0 Mexico
Date: 26 November 2022
Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni made drastic changes, mostly at the back after a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia, with Nicolas Otamendi the only one surviving the drop but attackers Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria were retained.
The sides were going at each from the off and Mexico created the first opening on ten minutes after Luis Chaves whipped in a dangerous cross that was met by an out-stretched boot of Hector Herrera but his effort missed narrowly wide.
The Albiceleste took the game by the scruff of the neck after that, as they gained momentum but with half-an-hour approaching, they could still not test goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
However, Argentina carved out their first real chance just before the interval after Martinez met Di Maria's cross in the box from a short corner taken by Messi but the Inter Milan forward could not keep his effort underneath the crossbar.
The Albiceleste had a bright start in the second stanza as they pinned El Tri deep in their own half but Mexico provided a good resistance.
Scaloni refreshed the attack just after the hour-mark as Julian Alvarez replaced Martinez and Argentina also had a change of fortune after that as Messi eventually broke the deadlock with a sublime grass-cutter that gave Ochoa no chance after he received an offload on the edge of the box.
Argentina already reinforced their defence with 20 minutes to go, as Di Maria made way for Cristian Romero and Mexico took the initiative to attack, in tense closing exchanges.
However, La Albiceleste had acres of space to exploit on counter-attacks and Enzo Fernandez eventually killed off the game in the last three minutes with a sumptuous curler that found top corner in the box after combining with Messi.
Tata Martino's troops struggled to put passes together, as they were hurried by Argentina, who walked away with a vital win that got them their first points in Group C and they moved up to second in an open section, ahead of the final round-robin matches.
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