Lionel Messi was far from his best, but produced one moment of magic to send Argentina on their way to a much-needed victory over Mexico while another special moment from Enzo Fernandez sealed the crucial 2-0 victory. His 20-yard strike in the 64th minute proved the crucial moment in the game Argentina needed to win after their opening loss to Saudi Arabia, and then the game was put beyond doubt when Fernandez curled a shot inside the far corner three minutes from time. Although dominating possession, Argentina looked far from certain to break the deadlock with Mexico defending with great organisation and numbers.
Messi does not look capable of dominating games as he used to do but he can have moments and he showed this with his crucial goal. Players such as Fernandez and Mac Allister with their willingness to cover ground up and down the field, to go with their quality, will be crucial as for long periods of the game they looked static in possession. Otamendi and Lisandro Martinez were all superb by shutting up the Mexico attacker. Emi Martinez was also crucial for the Argentine.
It is going to be a tough one as Argentina advance but we believe with the win against Mexico, they might end up bonding together and taking the team forward. Messi and his team-mates will look to secure their place in the second round of the tournament by getting a positive result against Poland on November 30. Will that be possible with what they’ve showed tonight?
Argentina are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings with Mexico in all competitions (W8 D3) since a 1-0 loss in the 2004 Copa América. Mexico have lost all four of their World Cup games against Argentina only Nigeria (5 vs Argentina) have played more World Cup matches against a specific nation while losing every time. Argentina kept their first clean sheet in seven World Cup matches, since a goalless draw with Netherlands in the 2014 semi final (progressed to the final on penalties).
We just have to wait to know if they advance or not.