Argentina is still alive. While she was almost forced to win this Saturday, she erased her preliminary defeat against Saudi Arabia, by struggling to overcome Mexico (2-0), thanks to a great Lionel Messi (see below). Back to the wall before the evening meeting, the South American champions have completely revived. They could even finish top of Group C if they win against Poland on Wednesday (8 p.m.). But they should raise their game level if they want to achieve their ultimate goal.
Lionel Scaloni knew it and he already felt in a hurry after the debacle of the first day. The Argentine coach has therefore changed his men, making five replacements compared to Tuesday. He also adapted his system, opting for a slightly less flat 4-4-2 when facing Mexico. But the novelties advanced here and there did not bear fruit, even if the victory came at the end. The first period of the Albiceleste was even worse than that delivered against the Saudis.
Lionel Messi and his squad purred from the start of the match. There were indeed blows exchanged on both sides, just to mark his territory. But once the muscles were shown, it was still necessary to offer play. And the Argentines showed nothing for more than 60 minutes, that is to say until the exploit of the sevenfold Ballon d’Or . Before that, they had no clear chance and only one situation, to the credit of Lautaro Martinez, whose header passed several meters from the frame (41st).
It was even the Mexicans who were the first, on a free kick from Vega well captured by Martinez (45th). But the Tri stopped playing too soon, no longer leaving their camp when they returned from the locker room. She never knew how to react after the opener and it was finally her who found herself on the edge of the precipice before the last day.
The player: Lionel Messi as a savior
Lionel Messi did not want his last World Cup to end so soon, after a short week in Qatar. La Pulga did not deliver their best match with the sky blue and white jersey, far from it, but history will remember that it was still him who saved his country. Number 10 received a pass from Di Maria at the entrance to the area before performing one of his specialties. He slipped a cross shot low to the ground and into the side net of Guillermo Ochoa (64th).
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Lionel Messi scored his 8th but in 21 World Cup finals matches. It’s as good as Diego Maradona.
The Parisian striker did not stop there. He then delivered a decisive pass on the goal of the break, magnificent, signed Enzo Fernandez (87th). Already a scorer in the opening match, Messi will again have to carry his team against Poland on Wednesday, hoping that his teammates will support him more.