DOHA: Lionel Messi says Argentina's World Cup campaign has now truly started after inspiring his side to a 2-0 win over Mexico to prevent an early elimination from the competition.
Following a shock 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening Group C match, Argentina entered Saturday's clash with Mexico knowing defeat would see them unable to advance.
Lionel Scaloni's men struggled to get going in the first hour of the match at Lusail Stadium before Messi found the bottom-right corner from 25 yards.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward then picked out Enzo Fernandez for the substitute to score a delightful late second for Argentina, who join Saudi Arabia on three points.
La Albiceleste meet Poland, who are one point better off at the top, in their final game and will be guaranteed a place in the last 16 with victory, while a draw may also be enough.
Messi is glad to have responded to the defeat against Saudi Arabia but stressed there is still plenty of work for his side to do if they are to reach the knockout stages.
"Another World Cup started for us today," he said.
"There were many factors behind the [Saudi Arabia] defeat, such as players playing at a first World Cup and the schedule.
"These are not excuses, but we knew we had to win today. We had to play the way we did because Mexico performed well and have a great coach.
"We calmed down a lot more in the second half and got the goal we needed. We can't give up now; we have finals from this point on and can't make a mistake."
Messi was also on target against Saudi Arabia and has now scored in six successive appearances for Argentina, making this his joint-best ever run for his national team.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner took his goals tally in the competition to eight, putting him level with Diego Maradona and behind only Gabriel Batistuta (10) for Argentina.
He is both the youngest (18 years, 357 days v Serbia in 2006) and oldest (35y, 155d v Mexico) player to score and assist in a single World Cup game since such records began (1966).
"He showed that in the space of 30 seconds or so he can be very harmful," said Mexico head coach Gerardo Martino, who previously managed Messi for club and country.
"They found Messi on his own and he scored from distance. He didn't find space often, but I understand a goal changes the perspective of what's happened over the game."
Mexico must now beat Saudi Arabia and hope Argentina lose to Poland if they are to go through, while a win for Mexico and a draw in the other game will take it to goal difference.
"As long as there is a chance we will try," Martino said. "We need to score goals and I believe in life those who compete on a daily basis are used to bouncing back."
Argentina's tense win was played out in front of a crowd of 88,966, with that the highest for a men's World Cup match since the 1994 final at California's Rose Bowl (94,194).
The match was far from a classic, the nine shots produced by both sides combined being the lowest tally in a World Cup game since 1966.
But head coach Scaloni is glad his side did what was required of them to stay in the hunt for a third world crown on the back of lifting the Copa America last year.
"We knew this would be a tough game," he said. "The first half wasn't good from either side. We made some adjustments at half-time to get Lionel more space.
"We were able to have players in the middle of the pitch winning duels and then you know what happened. Our number 10 scored the goal and does what he does best.
"Messi should enjoy this World Cup, and the fans too. But we still have another game and must keep our feet on the ground, stay humble and work hard.
"Just like when we won the Copa America, we'll go again tomorrow. Happiness lasts only 10 minutes. We have to find the right balance."
Astro Arena
Sun Nov 27 2022
Lionel Messi says Argentina's World Cup campaign has now truly started after inspiring his side to a 2-0 win over Mexico to prevent an early elimination from the competition. - Stadium Astro
Muhammad Sanusi mohon maaf atas ketelanjuran kata
Menteri Besar Kedah, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor meminta maaf sekiranya ada memberi ucapan yang kurang sesuai dalam konteks hubungan sesama manusia (hablumminannas).
AWANI Ringkas: Bersih anjurkan kongres Mei depan
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Siklon Hidaya hampiri Tanzania
Tanzania berada dalam keadaan berjaga-jaga pada Sabtu apabila Siklon Hidaya bergerak menghampiri kawasan pantai, membawa bersamanya hujan lebat, angin kencang dan ancaman ribut.
Polis buru dua suspek kes tembak di Pasir Mas
Polis sedang memburu dua suspek disyaki terlibat dalam kes tembakan di Kampung Alor Pinggan, Gelang Mas, awal pagi tadi.
Kabinet belum bincang kenaikan harga petrol dan diesel, laporan media asing tidak betul - Fahmi
Menteri Komunikasi Fahmi Fadzil hari ini berkata Kabinet belum berbincang mengenai kenaikan harga minyak petrol dan diesel.
Piala Thomas: China buat kemarau 10 tahun Malaysia ke final berterusan
Penantian 10 tahun skuad badminton negara untuk ke final Piala Thomas berterusan apabila tewas 1-3 kepada China dalam aksi separuh akhir di Chengdu sebentar tadi.
AWANI 7:45 [04/05/2024] – Warisi banyak hutang | Terhempas di kawasan ladang | Keadaan cuaca tidak menentu | Pergaduhan dua kumpulan
Laporan berita padat dan ringkas #AWANI745 bersama Irfan Faruqi
Tumpuan #AWANI745 malam ini:
- PM dedah ada pemimpin tak puas hati kenaikan gaji penjawat awam
- Pesawat terhempas, semua terselamat
- Panas melampau di utara, banjir di selatan, cuaca terkini di Malaysia
- 28 lelaki ditahan pergaduhan dua kumpulan di Butterworth
Tumpuan #AWANI745 malam ini:
- PM dedah ada pemimpin tak puas hati kenaikan gaji penjawat awam
- Pesawat terhempas, semua terselamat
- Panas melampau di utara, banjir di selatan, cuaca terkini di Malaysia
- 28 lelaki ditahan pergaduhan dua kumpulan di Butterworth
Wan Azizah ingatkan ahli PKR bersatu teruskan perjuangan parti
Dr Wan Azizah berkata peringatan tersebut penting kerana perpecahan boleh merosakkan parti yang ditubuhkan dengan semangat reformasi itu.
KBS masih kenal pasti lokasi sesuai bina velodrom terbuka - Hannah
Sukan berkenaan merupakan antara yang menyerlah serta menyumbang pingat di kejohanan dalam dan luar negara.
Fakulti AI pertama negara dirasmikan 10 Mei ini - Zambry
Di peringkat permulaan, Fakulti Kecerdasan Buatan bermula di UTM dan ada juga konsortium dengan universiti yang lain juga.
MLS: Lionel Messi tidak ambil masa lama untuk kembali meledak
Lionel Messi kembali menjaringkan gol dalam kepulangannya selepas mengalami kecederaan buat pasukannya Inter Miami.
Saya telah menang semuanya - Messi
Messi sudah berjaya menjulang pelbagai trofi sepanjang kariernya dan mengakui sudah rasa cukup dengan pencapaian yang diraihnya itu.
“Umur tidak akan menentukan bila saya bersara"- Messi
Messi juga belum tahu apa yang akan dilakukannya apabila besara kelak.
Argentina terpaksa lupakan Messi
Messi telah diketepikan daripada skuad Argentina untuk perlawanan persahabatan yang akan datang di Amerika Syarikat kerana kecederaan hamstring, kata Persatuan Bola Sepak Argentina.
Imej Messi berpakaian tradisional Arab dapat perhatian
Superstar bola sepak dunia itu kini pikul tugas baharu sebagai duta jenama pakaian mewah Arab Saudi.
Lionel Messi direhatkan ketika Inter Miami tewas kepada Montreal
Messi bermain dalam setiap minit tiga perlawanan pertama MLS musim ini sejak menyertai kelab diasaskan David Beckham itu pada Julai.
Aksi Argentina di China batal angkara Messi
Messi berdepan dengan kritikan selepas dia hanya berada di bangku simpanan semasa perlawanan persahabatan yang menampilkan Inter Miami di Hong Kong.
Lionel Messi diumum Pemain Terbaik FIFA 2023
Pemain tengah dari pasukan Sepanyol, yang memenangi Piala Dunia 2023, iaitu Aitana Bonmati pula dipilih sebagai pemain wanita terbaik tahun ini.
Messi belum raih satu anugerah lagi
Pemenang Piala Dunia dan Liga Juara-Juara sebanyak empat kali itu masih belum meraih anugerah Kaki Emas.
Ronaldo tersisih, Haaland terbaik dunia
Nama bintang sensasi, Cristiano Ronaldo tiada dalam senarai 100 pemain bola sepak terbaik dunia 2023.