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Argentina 2-0 Mexico LIVE! Messi key in huge win - World Cup 2022 result, match stream, latest updates today

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Sublime strikes by Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez earned Argentina a 2-0 win over feisty Mexico in a pulsating atmosphere at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday and got the South American favourites’ World Cup campaign up and running.

Stunned 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in their opening Group C match, Argentina knew defeat would send them out of the tournament but they started poorly, struggling to cope with Mexico’s high press as Messi was denied time and space to operate.

Argentina’s captain was anonymous in the first half, his sole contribution of note a header that ballooned over the bar, as his team failed to carve out a single decent chance.

But picked out by Angel Di Maria just outside the Mexico box in the 64th minute, Messi made no mistake, arrowing a low shot through a crowd of defenders into the corner. Fernandez doubled the lead in the 87th with a wonderful curling effort.

The win took Argentina up to second place on three points, one behind leaders Poland, who they play in their last group match. Saudi Arabia are third, level on points with Argentina but with an inferior goal difference.

Argentina vs Mexico latest news

  • Argentina player ratings

  • Full match report

Argentina 2 - 0 Mexico

Messi the master of moments as Argentina somehow keep dream alive

21:19 , Jonathan Gorrie

Outside the Lusail Stadium, an Argentine supporter held a banner emblazoned with a smiling picture of his hero, arms spread wide in that familiar, corner flag-bound celebration.

“I will sacrifice all my dreams for Messi’s World Cup dream,” the slogan above it read, a little clunky, perhaps, but typical of what we had been led to believe about the difference between this iteration of Argentina and its predecessors coming into the tournament.

This, supposedly, was a team not only united behind its leader but determined to uplift him, blessed by the presence of the greatest player of all-time, but determined not to be reliant solely on him for deliverance. It was, allegedly, a two-way street, all a little bit JFK: ask not what Lionel Messi can do for your country, but - at his fifth and likely final World Cup - what you can do for him.

This was, evidently, all nonsense. For having failed to create a simple opening of note in 64 minutes here, Argentina were once again left in the hands of their god.

Read Malik Ouzia’s full match report here!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Argentina ratings

21:18 , Jonathan Gorrie

Lionel Messi delivered yet another moment of magic on the World Cup stage to keep Argentina’s hopes of qualifying for the last-16 alive.

The 35-year-old’s touch and shot against Mexico was a moment of technical perfection but it came in a moment of dire need for his side, who lost to Saudi Arabia in their Group C opener.

It was a poor and nervous display from the South American giants and they still have work to do in the final match against Poland - where only a win will guarantee qualification.

Nizaar Kinsella was at Lusail Stadium to rate the Argentina players...

 (AP)
(AP)

FT: Argentina 2-0 Mexico

20:58 , Jonathan Gorrie

Brilliant goals from Messi and Fernandez ensure Argentina’s World Cup dream is still alive.

Six minutes added time

20:52 , Jonathan Gorrie

90:00 - Do Mexico have enough to ask a question in the final few minutes? Seems unlikely.

GOAL! Argentina 2-0 Mexico

20:48 , Jonathan Gorrie

86:00 - Enzo Fernandez curls in a brilliant second to ensure three points for Argentina!

De Paul has been awul

20:46 , Jonathan Gorrie

85:00 - Better touch just now and Argentina are though on goal. Not been a good night for the Atletico star.

2014 all over again?

20:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

83:00 - Late Messi winners agaisnt Bosnia and Iran took Argentina all the way to the final.....

(Admittedly, this team look a lot worse)

Mexico don’t look likely

20:38 , Jonathan Gorrie

76:00 - Martino’s side just haven’t asked questions of the Argentina defence. Would take something special from here.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Lusail Stadium

20:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

Argentina’s fans needed something and the diminutive forward in the no10 shirt has provided. Lionel Messi has transformed the atmosphere through a moment of brilliance.

We must also credit to manager Lionel Scaloni who has seen his side improve through the latest switch of system

More Argentina changes

20:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

Argentina retreat

20:29 , Jonathan Gorrie

67:00 - Argentina are sitting deep now, which they can probably afford to do given Mexico’s historic lack of goals.

Feels risky, however. Not as if Argentina have that much of a threat on the counter.

GOAL! Argentina 1-0 Mexico

20:26 , Jonathan Gorrie

62:00 - Messi has just struck a wonderful finish from outside the box.

What. A. Moment.

Double Argentina change

20:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

Fits and spurts

20:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

59:00 - Almost an hour in and Argentina have only upped the tempo twice, with pretty much half an hour between. We might get another chance in added time, then.

Malik Ouzia at Lusail Stadium

20:18 , Jonathan Gorrie

I was quite impressed with Enzo Fernandez’s cameo against Saudi Arabia so when I heard Scaloni had made five changes and he was still only on the bench I was a tad surprised. He’s got plenty of time to impact the game here.

Half chance for Argentina!

20:16 , Jonathan Gorrie

55:00 - No one in the box to turn Di Maria’s cross in. Bit better from Argentina.

Nizaar Kinsella at Lusail Stadium

20:14 , Jonathan Gorrie

Argentina have switched formations AGAIN and now look to be using Marcos Acuna as a winger. This is shades of myself when I am panicking on the Football Manager series.

Awful

20:12 , Jonathan Gorrie

51:00 - Sails over the bar. Shocking.

Messi wins a dangerous free-kick

20:11 , Jonathan Gorrie

49:00 - Burst of speed sees him brought down just outside the Mexico box......

Nizaar Kinsella at Lusail Stadium

20:07 , Jonathan Gorrie

There’s a lesson in this for England after their 0-0 draw with USA which saw them booed off the pitch at Al Bayt Stadium yesterday.

Lionel Scaloni went unbeaten in 36 game and has seemingly panicked here by making five changes and switching up his system. It hasn’t worked and, if anything, they’ve played worse than they did in defeat against Saudi Arabia.

Gareth Southgate preaching calm to his squad and ignoring the hate might just be the way to survive the scrutiny of the World Cup.

Back underway!

20:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

Surely there’s more to come here...

At least the fans are enjoying themselves!

20:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

Something to shout about at least...

The criticism continues

19:59 , Jonathan Gorrie

Fairly certainly Roy Keane just suggested Angel di Maria doesn’t have a heart.

Fair to say he’s not impressed.

Roy Keane to ITV Sport

19:57 , Jonathan Gorrie

“It’s like watching a Championship match.”

Cutting.

All you need to know

19:53 , Jonathan Gorrie

Opta has Argentina’s xG at 0.04 after only one shot. Mexico at 0.24 having been marginally better. Not a classic.

HT: Argentina 0-0 Mexico

19:52 , Jonathan Gorrie

That was a tough watch...

Nizaar Kinsella at Lusail Stadium

19:47 , Jonathan Gorrie

Mexico’s fans are dominating the atmosphere after a loud start to the match. You can take that to mean Argentina’s support don’t like what they are seeing so far.

CHANCE FOR MEXICO

19:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

44:00 - Rasping free-kick from Vega is dealt with by Martinez in goal.

Malik Ouzia at Lusail Stadium

19:44 , Jonathan Gorrie

I’ve counted four tackles so far that, without a shadow of a doubt, would’ve hospitalised me. Brutal stuff.

Nizaar Kinsella at Lusail Stadium

19:43 , Jonathan Gorrie

Argentina versus Mexico is seemingly the international football equivalent of Atletico Madrid versus Porto. An incredible 15 fouls and counting at Lusail Stadium.

CHANCE FOR ARGENTINA!

19:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

40:00 - Martinez heads over Di Maria’s cross following a short corner.

Something at least...

Mexico flagging

19:37 , Jonathan Gorrie

36:00 - Perhaps some good news for Argentina?

Mexico’s energy looks to have dipped of late, with some sloppy passes and fouls given away letting Argentina in. Still yet to do anything it, however.

Nizaar Kinsella at Lusail Stadium

19:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has changed formation one or maybe two times.

Alexis MacAllister started on the left wing and is playing inside.Messi was up front and is now on the right of a front three with Angel Di Maria moving to the other flank.

Lautaro Martinez has had just three touches of the ball and has been toothless against Mexico’s busy defence.

Nizaar Kinsella at Lusail Stadium

19:34 , Jonathan Gorrie

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has changed formation one or maybe two times.

Alexis MacAllister started on the left wing and is playing inside.Messi was up front and is now on the right of a front three with Angel Di Maria moving to the other flank.

Lautaro Martinez has had just three touches of the ball and has been toothless against Mexico’s busy defence.

Argentina need a foothold

19:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

31:00 - Hard to see how this team went on such a long unbeaten streak on this evidence.

With Martinez ineffective up front, they have nothing to build around in attacking areas.

Mexico will be delighted

19:29 , Jonathan Gorrie

28:00 - Approaching the 30 minute mark, Mexico will be delighted.

Argentina haven’t created anything of note.

Best spell for Argentina

19:25 , Jonathan Gorrie

24:00 - Messi springs into life with Di Maria now out on the left and the Argentines manage to knock a few quick passes together around the Mexico boss. It comes to nothing, but certainly an improvement in tempo.

Is Messi fully fit?

19:23 , Jonathan Gorrie

22:00 - It does not look like it, that’s for sure.

Brilliant Mexico

19:21 , Jonathan Gorrie

20:00 - Winning fouls and breaking the game up is stopping Argentina getting into any flow at all.

Malik Ouzia at Lusail Stadium

19:19 , Jonathan Gorrie

It’s going to be a test of how committed Fifa are to this “time in play” stuff. The number of cheap fouls and amount of play-acting already means this game is incredibly stop-start. Could be looking at all sorts of added time.

Argentina starting to look rattled

19:16 , Jonathan Gorrie

16:00 - Scaloni’s side cannot get control of the ball here.

Nizaar Kinsella at Lusail Stadium

19:16 , Jonathan Gorrie

Mexico’s game plan is very much to force Argentina into wide areas having seen it work for Saudi Arabia.

They are playing 5-3-2 and hitting manager Lionel Scaloni’s side on the break.

Can Mexico keep this up?

19:14 , Jonathan Gorrie

13:00 - First to every ball and able to clear their lines, Mexico look far too lively for Argetina at the moment.

If they can keep this up, it’s going to take something special to beat them.

Malik Ouzia at Lusail Stadium

19:13 , Jonathan Gorrie

The football’s not quite living up to the atmosphere in these early exchanges. All very scrappy, though that’s not particularly unexpected.

Argentina all over the place

19:11 , Jonathan Gorrie

10:00 - Can’t recall a single pass in the opposition’s final third. Very poor so far.

Di Maria so deep

19:07 , Jonathan Gorrie

06:00 - The problem with a floating frontline is it leaves Argentina’s attackers so isolated. So many big gaps in the team.

Nizaar Kinsella at Lusail Stadium

19:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

Five changes for Argentina shows that the emotional reaction to the defeat against Saudi Arabia last time out extends to even the coaching staff.

Malik Ouzia at Lusail Stadium

19:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

Lots of teams tend to have a little core group of fans behind one goal that bounces and sing all game. Both here have got sections that extend up to the top tier.

What an atmosphere

19:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

01:00 - Mexico are challening their huge support and crunching into tackles early on. Di Maria on the wrong end of some.

KICK-OFF

19:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

HERE WE GO!

Malik Ouzia at Lusail Stadium

18:59 , Jonathan Gorrie

This is about as full as I’ve seen this huge stadium so far. Still some empty chairs in the posh seats but not too many in with the mortals. There’s hardly a soul in the ground not wearing either the blue and white stripes or the green of Mexico.

We’re out for the anthems

18:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

This. Feels. Huge.

Malik Ouzia at Lusail Stadium

18:53 , Jonathan Gorrie

My uber driver very helpfully dropped me about 14 miles from the stadium a couple of hours ago, but the long walk did at least allow me chance to soak in a bit of the atmosphere. It was brilliant outside the ground and should be inside if they’d turn this bloody PA nonsense down. Still haven’t worked out what “Now Is All” is supposed to mean.

The man, the myth, the legend

18:51 , Jonathan Gorrie

The ultimate “streets won’t forget” footballer?

Big night for Di Maria

18:47 , Jonathan Gorrie

Slated for his performance against Saudi Arabia, Angel di Maria needs to impress tonight.

Aside from the obvious, he’s Lionel Scaloni’s key man.

Malik Ouzia’s pre-match verdict

18:33 , Jonathan Gorrie

Positive omens

18:27 , Jonathan Gorrie

Argentina have NEVER lost to Mexico at the World Cup.

Fair to say it would be an awful time to start now.

Messi makes history

18:14 , Jonathan Gorrie

21 appearances for Argentina at the World Cup for Lionel Messi, drawing him level with a certain Diego Maradona.

The narrative is certainly there...

Latest odds

18:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

Betfair - Argentina v Mexico

Argentina 40/85

Draw 31/10

Mexico 7/1

No striker for Mexico

17:59 , Jonathan Gorrie

While Lozano offers pace in-behind, Martino has overlooked a natural centre-forward for tonight’s game.

Martinez might be happy....

FIVE Argentina changes

17:50 , Jonathan Gorrie

Lionel Scaloni is NOT messing around after the loss to Saudi Arabia.

Almost half of a team who were unbeaten for 36 games has been dropped!

Confirmed Mexico lineup

17:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

Ochoa; K.Álvarez, Araújo, Moreno, Montes, Gallardo; Guardado, Herrera, Chávez; Lozano, Vega

Confirmed Argentina lineup

17:44 , Jonathan Gorrie

Martínez; Montiel, Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez, Acuña; De Paul, Guido Rodríguez, Mac Allister; Messi; Di Maria, Lautaro Martínez

Lionel Messi blames ‘five minutes of mistakes’ as Argentina fall to shock Saudi Arabia defeat

17:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

Argentina star Lionel Messi insists he is not surprised by Saudi Arabia‘s shock win after “five minutes of mistakes”.

A pre-tournament favourite, the South Americans fell to one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history as Saudi Arabia scored twice early in the second half to earn a stunning victory.

Saudi Arabia are the second-lowest ranked team in the tournament, made up of players who all play in their domestic league, but Messi insists Argentina did not take them lightly.

He told reporters: “We knew they were a team who would play if we let them...They did not surprise us, we knew they could do that.”

He continued to Argentina media: “It’s a situation that this group of players has never been through, it’s been a while since we suffered such a tough blow, we didn’t expect to start like this.”

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Funes Mori joins list of players born in Argentina to play in a World Cup with Mexico

17:29 , Jonathan Gorrie

Rogelio Funes Mori is the third player born in Argentina to play in a World Cup with Mexico. The previous ones were Germán Caballero and Guillermo Franco. (via Opta).

We’re edging closer

17:21 , Jonathan Gorrie

Mexcio are in the mood to cause an upset...

Why Argentina’s shock loss to Saudi Arabia is bad news for England

17:18 , Jonathan Gorrie

England face the prospect of Argentina being on their side of the World Cup knockout draw after the South Americans suffered a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia.

Argentina were beaten 2-1 by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, meaning they face a fight to finish top of Group C - which also contains Poland and Mexico.

That could be bad news for England who, after beating Iran 6-2 on Monday afternoon, have their sights set on topping Group B.

That would setup a showdown with the runners-up of Group A (most likely Ecuador or the Netherlands) in the last-16 and, if England win that tie, they would face either the winner of Group D or the second-placed team from Group C in the quarter-finals.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Argentina could well be that Group C side after they suffered a surprise loss to Saudi Arabia, despite Lionel Messi opening the scoring and finding the net at possibly his last ever World Cup.

The winners of Group D are tipped to be current holders France and that would setup the mouth-watering prospect of them facing Argentina in the last-16.

England, should they make it that far, would then face the winner of that game in the quarter-finals on December 10.

Elsewhere in Group C

17:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

Poland earned a hard-fought win over Saudi Arabia at the World Cup to leave Group C wide open ahead of Argentina taking on Mexico.

Piotr Zielinski opened the scoring against the run of play in the first half, firing high into the roof of the net from close range after Robert Lewandowski cut the ball back.

Lewandowski hit the post after the break, again against the run of play, before finally scoring his first ever World Cup goal - pouncing on a defensive mistake - to seal all three points and, for now at least, move into top spot in the group.

Saudi Arabia were the better side for much of the game but failed to make the most of their dominance, though still have their own hopes of reaching the knockout stages in their own hands after beating Argentina. They next face Mexico.

Read Matt Verri’s full match report here!

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

Ecuador and Mexico fans investigated by FIFA for alleged homophobic chanting at World Cup 2022

17:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

FIFA have opened an investigation into Mexico and Ecuador amid allegations of homophobic chanting at the World Cup.

Mexican fans were were heard directing abuse at Poland striker Robert Lewandowski after he saw his second-half penalty saved by goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa during Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Poland.

In a statement confirming the proceedings on Wednesday, FIFA did not elaborate on the nature of the chants.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Mexican Football Association due to chants by Mexican supporters during the Mexico v Poland FIFA World Cup match played on 22 November,” it said.

Argentina player ratings vs Saudi Arabia: Lionel Messi struggles as Cristian Romero hauled off

16:53 , Jonathan Gorrie

Four days ago, Saudi Arabia pull off one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history as Argentina, one of the pre-tournament favourites, were beaten in their opening game.

Here’s how Malik Ouzia rated Argentina at Lusail Iconic Stadium...

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Argentina set for ‘first World Cup final’ with must-win game against Mexico

16:44 , Jonathan Gorrie

Emi Martinez has told his Argentina teammates that Saturday’s meeting with Mexico is now their “first World Cup final” as they enter do-or-die mode following the sensational defeat to Saudi Arabia.

In one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, Lionel Messi & Co were beaten 2-1 at Lusail Stadium by the second-lowest ranked team in the tournament, whose entire squad is made up of players from the Saudi domestic league.

Argentina arrived in Qatar among the favourites, the Copa America champions of last summer and on a 36-game unbeaten run, one away from equalling Italy’s international record.

But that streak has now come to the most surprising of endings and Lionel Scaloni’s side must bounce back swiftly when they face Mexico at the same ground, or else face the prospect of a shock early exit.

“We’re hurting a lot from our first defeat [in more than three years] and on top of that at the World Cup,” said Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez.

“Today we expected to play like it was a final, but we didn’t do that. After we scored the first goal we relaxed a bit and we paid for that. Saturday [against Mexico] will be our first World Cup final.”

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

Messi to match Maradona milestone but no margin for Argentina error

16:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

After Argentina’s seismic defeat against Saudi Arabia, Diego Maradona Jr claimed people who compare his father and Lionel Messi “don’t understand football”.

“The comparison between Messi and my dad… we are talking about two different planets,” he said on a radio show in Argentina, as one of the biggest upsets in the World Cup history reverberated around the world.

Messi will move level with Maradona in all-time World Cup appearances for Argentina when they face Mexico tomorrow. However, he is facing the prospect of a shock early exit in what might be his final shot at winning a World Cup, and failure to deliver the biggest prize of all would, in the eyes of many Argentinians, end his hopes of ever emulating El Diego.

Maradona led his country to World Cup glory in 1986, while Messi lost his only final, in 2014, and was part of the team that crashed out at the last-16 stage in 2018.

Read the full story here!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Prediction: Argentina get crucial win

16:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

While Argentina’s performance was worrying, their recent form would at least suggest the Saudi game was something of a blip. Certainly, they have enough quality to bounce back.

Argentina to win 2-1.

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Mexico team news: Jimenez in line to return

16:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

For Mexico, there are no fresh injury concerns but Raul Jimenez may return following his cameo against Poland.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Argentina team news: Lisandro Martinez could start

16:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

Lisandro Martinez is surely pushing for a start given the problems the Argentine defence encountered against Saudi Arabia. Julian Alvarez is another who could come in, with Lautaro Martinez proving ineffective on Tuesday.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Where to watch Argentina vs Mexico

16:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel: The game will be broadcast on ITV1 with coverage starting at 6.10pm.

Live stream: The ITV Hub will offer a live stream for free.

LIVE coverage: Follow all of the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog. Nizaar Kinsella and Malik Ouzia will be providing expert analysis from the ground.

 (ES Composite)
(ES Composite)

Welcome

16:21 , Jonathan Gorrie

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Argentina’s must-win clash against Mexico later today.

Kick-off inside the Lusail Iconic Stadium is at 7pm GMT.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)