Messi scores again as Argentina bounce back
DOHA, Qatar, Nov 27, (AP): Lionel Messi was almost in tears as he grabbed and shook his jersey in front of Argentina’s celebrating fans, then blew a kiss and looked to the sky.
With one of the most important goals of his career, Messi led Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Mexico to ignite his team’s World Cup chances.
His dream of winning soccer’s biggest prize in likely his last attempt is still alive.
“It’s a weight off our shoulders,” Messi said. “It gives us joy and peace of mind to start again.”
Messi took a touch from Angel Di Maria’s pass across the face of the area and drove a low shot from 25 meters (yards) into the bottom corner to give Argentina the lead in the 64th minute.
His arms outstretched, he ran toward the team’s supporters who were celebrating behind the goal and was soon mobbed by his teammates. He whirled his arms in an emotional response to scoring his 93rd - and perhaps most crucial - international goal.
Substitute Enzo Fernandez added a second goal in the 87th minute, ensuring Argentina bounced back from a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia that ranked as one of the World Cup’s biggest ever upsets. “We lived with discomfort and kept the defeat in the opening match in our minds,” Messi said. “The days were very long.
“We were eager to have the chance to turn the situation around and luckily we won.”
Argentina are second in Group C ahead of their last match against first-place Poland on Wednesday, and might need to win it to advance.
“We can’t let our guard down now,” Messi said. “All of our matches are finals now. We can’t mess up.”
It was an eighth World Cup goal for Messi, the same number scored in the tournament by rival Cristiano Ronaldo and also Diego Maradona - the Argentina great with whom he is so often compared.
For some, Messi needs to win the World Cup - the only major title missing from his collection - to join the ranks of Pele and Maradona as soccer’s greatest ever players. Thanks to this win, it could still happen.
Mexico have one remaining game, against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Not only must El Tri win, but end up with a better goal difference than either Argentina or Poland to advance to the round of 16 for the eighth straight World Cup.
“We are hurt, but as long as the possibility exists, we must continue fighting,” defender Nestor Araujo said. “While there is a chance, we will fight.”
Mexico midfielder Andres Guardardo became the sixth male player to feature at five World Cups.