Lionel Messi stepped forward for Argentina.
After a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win over Mexico, he now has as many World Cup goals and World Cup appearances as Diego Armando Maradona.
Before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, for obvious reasons, Argentine Lionel Messi was talked about and written about. And against Mexico he was behind everything. When Saturday Night was acting like a hero and distinctively serving in the winning goal to win back 1-0 for his country, a wild celebration broke out and the joy in the star’s eyes was telling.
Argentina’s previously tame performance was met with boos – but thanks to Messi, the Argentine fans sang louder than ever during the tournament.
The 35-year-old scored the goal in the 64th minute and three minutes before normal time extended the lead to 2-0. Enzo Fernandez burst into the penalty area and was responsible for a beautiful setting – which meant the nail in the coffin. the performance? Sign Lionel Messi, of course.
Maradona level
However, the celebration doesn’t stop there for Messi. Appearing in the match means he has touched Diego Armando Maradona in a record 21 total World Cup appearance. The goal then? It also means he now has eight World Cup goals – the same as Maradona’s. The Argentine with the most goals in the World Cup is Gabriel Batistuta, with ten goals.
And Argentina, who lost 1-2 in the opening match against Saudi Arabia, searched for a long time for another failure. A first half lacking in chances set the tone for the start of the second half. After Messi’s goal, the match gained new momentum, but Mexico never threatened the blue and white lines.
Lionel Messi and his teammates are now second in the group, one point behind Poland.
As for Argentina, we now have a final group stage match against Poland. Mexico in the face of Saudi Arabia.
The text has been updated.
World Cup matches Sunday 27 November
11.00 Japan and Costa Rica 14.00 Belgium-Morocco 17.00 Croatia Canda 20.00 Spain and Germany