FIFA World Cup: Messi’s goal helps Argentina beat Mexico 2-0, keep their hopes of making it to the knockouts alive

Argentina kept alive their hopes of making it to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 win over Mexico with a goal from veteran Lionel Messi. Messi scored from 25 yards in the 64th minute on a pass by Angel Di Maria. The second goal for the team was scored by substitute player Enzo Fernandes in the 87th minute. Argentina had suffered a 1-2 defeat against Saudi Arabia in the first match. Ahead of the final group match against Poland on Wednesday, Argentina’s team is running in second place on the points table and will be fighting for a place in the knockouts. For that he will probably have to register another win.

The 35-year-old Messi is probably playing his last World Cup and this is the only major tournament he has not been able to win. This is Messi’s eighth goal in the World Cup. His rival Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo has also scored eight goals in the World Cup while Argentine great Diego Maradona has the same number of goals in the prestigious tournament. Some believe Messi needs to win the World Cup to join the ranks of the game’s greatest players, along with Pele and Maradona. Thanks to the victory against Mexico, Messi’s hope is still intact.

Also read: Gowers hat-trick in second match of hockey, Australia beat India 7-4

Before this goal, the match was frustrating for Messi and every time two defenders surrounded him and did not give him a chance to play freely. With Messi’s goal, however, the momentum of the match changed completely and Argentina registered a comfortable victory. This is Messi’s second and overall 93rd international goal of the tournament. He also scored a penalty against Saudi Arabia.