Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a crucial victory over Mexico in Lusail Stadium to position the South Americans’ World Cup quest firmly back on track.
An edgy game featured next to no goalmouth action until Messi lit a match under the contest after 64 minutes. When the 35-year-old genius sent a 22-yard free-kick over the bar six minutes after half-time Argentina’s World Cup life was hanging in the balance.
Lionel Scaloni’s team knew defeat would spell the end of the road in Qatar following a shock opening loss to Saudi Arabia. But Messi gathered Angel Di Maria’s pass to fire unerringly into the bottom corner from outside the area.
Enzo Fernandez, on as a second-half substitute, quashed any lingering anxiety when he strode into the box following a short corner to curl beyond goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and start an Argentinian party at the scene of their Saudi-inflicted desolation only four days ago. (27 Nov 2022)
STARTING LINE UP
23 Damian MARTINEZ (GK)
4 Gonzalo MONTIEL (-63′)
8 Marcos ACUNA
19 Nicolas OTAMENDI
25 Lisandro MARTINEZ
7 Rodrigo DE PAUL
11 Angel DI MARIA (-69′)
18 RODRIGUEZ GUIDO (-57′)
20 Alexis MAC ALLISTER (-69′)
10 Lionel MESSI (C)
22 Lautaro MARTINEZ (-63′)
SUBSTITUTIONS
1 Franco ARMANI (GK)
12 Geronimo RULLI (GK)
2 Juan FOYTH
3 Nicolas TAGLIAFICO
5 Leandro PAREDES
6 German PEZZELLA
9 Julian ALVAREZ (+63′)
13 Cristian ROMERO (+69′)
14 Exequiel PALACIOS (+69′)
15 Angel CORREA
16 Thiago ALMADA
17 Alejandro GOMEZ
21 Paulo DYBALA
24 Enzo FERNANDEZ (+57′)
26 Nahuel MOLINA (+63′)
Manager Lionel SCALONI
Daniel's Argentina 
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