Argentina struggled massively for the second game in a row, but second-half strikes from Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández kept their qualifying chances alive.
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But it was Mexico’s 3-5-2 setup that appeared to make the greater impact, and Lionel Scaloni’s men struggled to create clear scoring chances, with Lionel Messi conspicuous in his inability to make an impact in the final third, despite knowing his final shot at lifting the greatest trophy of all was hanging in the balance.
Despite their fans audibly clamouring for a goal, against a team Mexico had lost to in all three prior World Cup H2Hs, Gerardo Martino’s men looked happy to merely protect the backline and play out a scoreless draw.
But Messi was there to save the day once more, as he took advantage of a touch outside the box and drilled a 25-metre effort past Guillermo Ochoa, finding the back of the net for his second goal in the competition and sending fans into raptures.
But El Tri’s attacking woes continued, and Argentina finished in the ascendancy, ultimately doubling their lead through a spectacular curled effort from Enzo Fernández in the 87th minute.
As for Mexico, they must beat the Green Eagles in their next outing, while also benefiting from an Argentina win over Poland, to even have a shot at reaching the knockout stages.
