Argentina was contemplating disaster. Then, Lionel Messi delivered it.
The Albiceleste won 2-0 against Mexico on Saturday in a tense match as possible.
The pressure, already tangible before this meeting, had only increased for 63 minutes. The game was tough, tense, as it often is between these two teams.
For Argentina, the victory against El Tri was crucial. After losing to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, the precipice was near. The world order of soccer had been shaken up. The Argentine people, too.
Then comes the 64e minute, still at 0-0. Lionel Messi receives the ball in the axis, a pass from Ángel Di Maria. One touch, to control. A stride, to arm. And, with his famous left foot, bang. His low shot, from outside the area, targets the right corner of Guillermo Ochoa’s net, and goes under the goalkeeper.
Just with the face of Messi, we could see all that this goal represented. For him, for his selection, for his nation.
“We knew the game would be very difficult,” said Lionel Scaloni, Argentina coach. The first half was not good, but we made some adjustments and we played better afterwards. […] And then you know what happened. Number 10 scored, which is what he does best. We made too many horizontal passes and we faced the second period better, being more aggressive. We have improved. »
We are talking about deliverance, and the word is right. Because so far in this match, nothing helped. Despite having the advantage in possession, Argentina had only two small shots attempted, and none on target. The match had not been spectacular for either team.
Argentina’s first well-placed shot was the success of what is said to be the heir to Diego Maradona, whose second death anniversary had been celebrated the day before. “Messi only needs five minutes to hurt you, 30 seconds, even,” said Gerardo Martino, Mexico coach.
Their second? A little gem from young Enzo Fernández at the 87e. A nice curling shot from the left corner of the area, after an assist … from Messi. Who else ?
PHOTO ODD ANDERSEN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Enzo Fernandez
On the other side, Mexico seemed to want to play the draw in this meeting. Despite some interesting breakthroughs in the offensive zone, we left most of the possession to the Argentinians. A strategy that frustrated and worked for a while, before the game changed.
We prevented Argentina from having chances for an hour. We played like that because we thought it was the best way to counter Argentina.
Gerardo Martino, Mexico coach
Scaloni, meanwhile, wanted to minimize the weight his Argentina players carry on their shoulders.
“I received a message from my brother telling me that he was crying,” he said. I think we need to have a little more common sense. I don’t think we should play more than one game of football. We have to make the players feel that it’s a football match. Otherwise, it will always be difficult. There is a feeling of relief, but it’s hard to make people understand that the sun will shine tomorrow, whether we win or not. »
Relaunched, Argentina? After two games, and despite its bitter failure against the Saudis, it finds itself in second position in group C. Its confrontation against Poland by Robert Lewandowski (1D4 points), Wednesday, will be proof of everything.
“Poland will be difficult to face,” said Scaloni. All the teams are changing the way they play against us. Because there is Messi, and many other great players. »