After losing to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday - one of the biggest World Cup shocks ever - Argentina knew a second defeat would have booted them out of the tournament.
Lionel Messi helped save his country from World Cup embarrassment as France became the first team to reach the knockout stage.
Messi scored the first goal in Argentina's 2-0 win over Mexico, with substitute Enzo Fernandez settling a bad-tempered clash against Mexico at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. After losing to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday - in one of the biggest World Cup shocks ever - Argentina knew a second defeat would have booted them out of the tournament.But Messi, 35, playing in his fifth and probably final World Cup, got his team off the mark with a long-range strike 19 minutes into the second half.To be sure of going through, however, Argentina still need a win in their final group game against Poland on Wednesday.
Denmark, who beat France twice in the Nations League this year, fell behind after 61 minutes but levelled through Andreas Christensen. Mbappe's brace means he is now ranked alongside Brazilian superstar Pele as the only players to score seven or more World Cup goals before their 25th birthday.Related Topics
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