Messi Lifts Argentina Against Mexico

Argentina, two-time world champion in 1978 and 1986, revived its hopes of advancing to the knockout stage of the Qatar World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Mexico (0-0 at halftime) in a match held Saturday evening at Lusail Stadium during the second round of group stage matches in the 22nd World Cup, hosted by Qatar until December 18. Lionel Messi made the difference by scoring against the Mexican net in the 64th minute with a low shot from outside the area into the far left corner of the goal defended by Guillermo Ochoa. In the 87th minute, substitute Enzo Fernandez, a Benfica defender from Portugal, scored Argentina's second goal with a shot from inside the area into the upper left corner of the Mexican goalkeeper's net. With this victory, Argentina overcame its earlier defeat to Saudi Arabia and must achieve a positive result against Poland next Wednesday to continue its World Cup journey.