Redemption followed embarrassment as Argentina set course for knockout stage thanks to Lionel Messi.
The world star led the two-time world champion to 2-0 (0-0) against Mexico and, after the sensational bankruptcy against Saudi Arabia, personally ensured a good starting position before the preliminary round final on Wednesday (8 p.m.) against Poland. Messi scored the lead (64th), substitute Enzo Fernández (87th) extremely worth seeing for the final score.
After the false start in Qatar, the Argentines have the group victory back in their own hands – and Messi the crowning glory of his incomparable career.
“Thank God,” said Messi in the winner’s interview: “We knew we had to be strong, it was a very difficult game.” Buoyed by the euphoria of the fans and by their exceptional player with the ’10’, the Argentines fought their way to victory “although we were a bit nervous after the first game”, admitted Messi.
At least the gold trophy, which Diego Armando Maradona last brought to Argentina in 1986, is getting a little closer. The Mexicans, who defended disciplined for a long time, are on the verge of being eliminated after two games with just one point and no goal.
Maradona, Maradona again and again: With his 21st World Cup game and his eighth World Cup goal, Messi drew level with the Argentine football god, who died almost to the day two years ago after a life full of sporting highs and tragic lows .
“Maybe Maradona is watching from heaven,” said national coach Lionel Scaloni before the “final” against Mexico: “We hope to give him pleasure.”
Much struggle, little art
However, even in the land of the magicians Maradona and Messi, the basis of all happiness is the defensive – and this is how Scaloni reacted to the “landslide of Qatar” (“La Nación”) against the Saudis. He brought in three new defenders, plus Guido Rodriguez and Alexis Mac Allister as Messi supporters in midfield. All hopes rested – as so often – on the seven-time world footballer from Paris.
Which TV station will broadcast the 2022 FIFA World Cup live?
- MagentaTV shows all 64 games live, 16 of them exclusively* (including two round of 16 and one quarter-final).
- ARD broadcasts 24 games live, including two group games of the DFB team as well as finals and the final.
- The German group game against Spain is on ZDF, but also games in groups F, G and H.
It took almost two minutes until he made his first contact with the ball. The short dribbling sent the Argentinians among the 88,966 spectators in the Lusail, the final stadium in Qatar, into ecstasy. But they needed patience and strong nerves. Mexico, under Argentinian coach Gerardo Martino, who, like Messi, comes from Rosario, presented themselves as the expected unpleasant opponents.
Messi’s one-on-one action puts Argentina on course
The game initially went completely past Messi, and the immense pressure on his teammates was also noticeable. It took 34 minutes for the first shot, Messi pulled a free kick from the side straight onto goal. harmless. As does the Mexican effort. The fans were uneasy, Mexico’s Alexis Vega had the best chance of the first half with a direct free kick (45′).
After the break, Messi stepped up and took a free kick himself, which he shot over the goal from 21 meters (52nd). It was the start of his strongest minutes, Messi increased the pace and scored after a single action for the acclaimed lead. The 35-year-old announced before the tournament that he would be playing his last World Cup.
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