Lionel Messi and Argentina are back in the race in a tight Group C after beating Mexico 2-0 on Saturday thanks to two second-half goals.
Following Argentina’s shocking upset 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in its Group C opener, La Albiceleste would’ve been eliminated from knockout contention with a loss against Mexico, which came into the game with a point after drawing 0-0 with Poland.
But Argentina is now back in the thick of a tight Group C with a 2-0 win over El Tri thanks to two second-half goals. Sign up for NBC Chicago newsletters. Surprisingly, Mexico’s manager Gerard “Tata” Martino opted for a 5-3-2 lineup that went against his usual system, but going with a back five provided more defensive security against Messi and Co.
Argentina started with a 4-2-3-1 with Messi playing in a free-roam role centrally, but it gradually became a 3-4-3 with the fullbacks holding more width to stretch Mexico’s backline and give Messi and Ángel Di Maria extra space to move inside. However, Mexico’s 5-1-2-2 midblock effectively shut down Argentina’s build-up play as the fullbacks and center midfielders couldn’t find the passing lanes to get the ball to their creators, and it led to Alexis Vega giving El Tri some of their best moments offensively.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lionel Messi pulls Argentina out of a World Cup nightmare in 2-0 win over MexicoLUSAIL, Qatar — Lionel Messi strode into the cauldron at 9:53 p.m., and stared up into the eye of the Lusail Stadium storm. It had been brewing for hours and days with Argentina here on the brink of World Cup elimination. It pelted him for an hour as Messi and teammates seemed paralyzed by pressure and Mexican noise. And then, after 63 minutes of dreadful soccer, he emerged from a crowded midfield to lift his nation out of impending despair.
Read more »
Lionel Messi, Argentina under pressure against Mexico in World Cup matchAfter a shocking loss to Saudi Arabia, Argentina looks to turn things around with a win against Mexico on Saturday.
Read more »
Lionel Messi, Argentina under pressure against Mexico in World Cup matchAfter a shocking loss to Saudi Arabia, Argentina looks to turn things around with a win against Mexico on Saturday.
Read more »
Lionel Messi’s Long-distance Shot Opens Scoring for Argentina vs. MexicoArgentina finally opened the scoring against Mexico on Saturday thanks to Lionel Messi’s long-distance low shot to the bottom right corner.
Read more »
Maradona's World Cup absence 'strange' for Messi, ArgentinaArgentina is without Diego Maradona on soccer’s biggest stage for the first time since the 1978 World Cup.
Read more »
Messi scores as Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 at raucous Qatar stadiumSublime strikes by Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez earn Argentina a 2-0 win over feisty Mexico, getting the South American favourites' FIFAWorldCup bid up and running
Read more »