And just like that Argentina are back on track at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez scored two stunning goals to give the Albiceleste a 2-0 win over Mexico and breathe life into their chances of advancing to the Round of 16 from Group C. Meanwhile, it was a serious blow to El Tri’s hopes and the Mexicans will go into the final day in last place in the group.
A shock loss to Saudi Arabia had put Argentina’s World Cup bid within one more loss of coming to a premature end, but Messi’s goal in the 64th minute gave his team the breakthrough they desperately needed against a fiercely competitive Mexico side.
With Mexico throwing the kitchen sink in search of a late leveller, Benfica playmaker Fernandez curled the ball into the top-right corner to seal the result. It’s a strike that also helped Argentina in the goal differential department.
Mexico now need to win at all costs — and likely by several goals — against Saudi Arabia in the group finale to have a chance of advancing. Here are the scenarios for these two teams going into the final day:
Argentina:
- Win vs. Poland and they qualify. They’ll qualify as group winners if Saudi Arabia do not win by more goals than Argentina does.
- Draw vs. Poland and they qualify as group runners-up if Mexico win vs. Saudi Arabia by two goals or fewer. A three-goal Mexico win would lead to most goals scored tiebreaker.
- Loss vs. Poland and Argentina are eliminated from the World Cup
Mexico (can only qualify as group runner-up):
- Win vs. Saudi Arabia AND Poland win vs. Argentina: Mexico qualify as group runner-up.
- Win vs. Saudi Arabia AND Argentina draw vs. Poland: El Tri qualifies as group runners-up as long as they win by four goals or more. A three-goal Mexico win would lead to most goals scored tiebreaker if Argentina draw.
- Win vs. Saudi Arabia AND Argentina win vs. Poland: Mexico qualifies as group runners-up if their goal differential is better than Poland’s final goal differential.
| Team | PTS | GP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Poland | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| 2. Argentina | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
| 3. Saudi Arabia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -1 |
| 4. Mexico | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 |
Argentina vs Mexico final score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Argentina | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Goals:
ARG — Lionel Messi (64th min)
ARG — Enzo Fernandez (87th min)
Lineups:
Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 4. Montiel, 25. Li. Martinez, 19. Otamendi, 8. Acuna (Molina, 63′) — 7. De Paul, 18. G. Rodriguez (24. Fernandez, 57′), 20. Mac Allister (E. Palacios, 69′) — 11. Di Maria (C. Romero 69′), 22. La. Martinez (Alvarez, 63′), 10. Messi
Mexico (5-3-2, right to left): 13. Ochoa (GK) — 26. Alvarez (Antuna 65′), 2. Araujo, 3. Montes, 15. Moreno, 23. Gallardo — 24. Chavez, 16. Herrera, 18. Guardado (14. Gutierrez, 41′) — 22. Lozano (Alvarado 73′), 10. Vega (Jimenez, 65′)
MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (US only free trial)
Argentina vs Mexico as it happened, highlights from 2022 World Cup
Fulltime: Argentina 2 Mexico 0
90th min.: Six minutes of stoppage time.
87th min.: GOAL Argentina! What a strike by Enzo Fernandez, who curls a ball into the upper-right corner from the left side. That goal is a backbreaker for Mexico, not only in this game, but in the goal difference department.
Watch in USA:
WHAT A MOMENT FOR ENZO FERNANDEZ ?
The hug between him and Messi is everything ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hnTP1yQleM
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
81st min.: No clear ideas for Mexico. And Argentina are dangerous when they win the ball in midfield. Julian Alvarez and Leo Messi went on runs just a few minutes ago after Exequiel Palacios won the ball.
This game doesn’t set up great for Mexico with El Tri needing to push and Argentina absorbing pressure.
73rd min.: SUB Mexico. Wow. Mexico take off Chucky Lozano. Piojo Alvarado is in. There will be questions about this decision if it doesn’t work.
69th min.: SUBS Argentina. Angel Di Maria and Alexis Mac Allister are out and Exequiel Palacios and Cristian Romero are in to help defend this lead.
65th min.: SUBS Mexico. These subs were already set to come on before the goal. Raul Jimenez and Uriel Antuna are in for Kevin Alvarez and Alexis Vega. Mexico is going to four at the back.
64th min.: GOAL Argentina! Lionel Messi scores. It’s a simple pass in a central position just outside the box and no one closes him down and he fires a left-footed shot that beats Memo Ochoa low inside the right post.
Watch in USA:
MESSI ???
Argentina takes the lead vs Mexico! ?? pic.twitter.com/iqDUyzzxlx
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
Watch in UK:
“Vamos, vamos!” ??
The Argentine fans are on their feet after Messi put them 1-0 up!#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/uAkUuvtULC
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 26, 2022
Watch in Canada:
MESSI THE MAGICIAN! ?
Leo Messi has put Argentina on the board with a brilliant strike from distance! #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/gVWb4oveic
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 26, 2022
63rd min.: SUBS Argentina. Double change by manager Lionel Scaloni. Julian Alvarez is in for Lautaro Martinez, while Nahuel Molina enters for Marcos Acuna.
57th min.: SUB Argentina. Enzo Fernandez comes on for Guido Rodriguez. Argentina need the creativity of the Benfica man.
56th min.: Argentina have had a good spell to start the half. The urgency has picked up with the Albiceleste in attack. But Lionel Messi just attempted a pass and it goes straight out for a goal kick.
50th min.: Yellow card. Mexico’s Erick Gutierrez gets it for bringing down Lionel Messi just outside the box. Messi takes the free kick and it’s high. You can only wonder whether that ankle injury from the match vs. UAE is bugging him.
46th min.: The second half is underway. No changes for either side.
Halftime: Argentina 0 Mexico 0
Halftime: That was a fiery first half, and the tone was set early by Mexico, who are playing as if they were the ones on the brink of elimination. Argentina are going to need to create a lot more if they’re going to have a chance at all three points.
Lionel Messi didn’t do much, and there were no patented penetrating dribbling slaloms from Angel Di Maria. The Argentina midfielders were generally poor in buildup, and forward Lautaro Martinez looked uncomfortable.
The message from Tata Martino to the Mexican side is clear: Keep this up. You get the sense that Alexis Vega and Chucky Lozano going forward can make something happen if the ball squirts out to them. They want to take defenders on. But remember that a draw is not a disastrous result for Mexico.
Here are some stats that tell the story on the Argentina side: According to Opta, Argentina only had a single shot by halftime, which is the fewest in a World Cup first half for them since facing Germany back in 2006. And here’s what the half looked like for Lautaro Martinez and Messi.
Lautaro Martinez’ first half in numbers:
1 pass completed
1 offside
1 dispossessed
1 unsuccessful touchhttps://t.co/7OZTkUql7V— Mr. Numbers (@Mister_Numbers) November 26, 2022
Resumen de Lionel Messi en el primer tiempo. #mexicoargentina pic.twitter.com/9eQGSC4JdQ
— VÍCTOR EDÚ (@EDUX77) November 26, 2022
HT: Argentina (0.06) 0-0 (0.17) Mexico
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) November 26, 2022
45th min.: Five minutes of stoppage time given by Italian referee Daniele Orsato.
45th min.: Chance Mexico! Alexis Vega takes the free kick after the Montiel foul. And Argentina ‘keeper Dibu Martinez knew what was coming and snatched it out of the air in front of his goal.
43rd min.: Yellow Card. Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel gets it for just hacking down Erick Gutierrez. Obvious yellow.
41st min.: SUB Mexico. Andres Guardado has to come off and he hands the captain’s armband to Memo Ochoa. He had approached the bench earlier with a problem to his calf. PSV Eindhoven’s Erick Gutierrez comes in.
Watch in USA:
Andrés Guardado comes off and Gutiérrez comes in for Mexico in the 42nd minute ?? pic.twitter.com/w5yMvczWqZ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
41st min.: Chance Argentina! Cross by Angel Di Maria on the right and Lautaro Martinez gets a header off in the middle of the box, but he didn’t make good contact and the ball went high of the mark.
39th min.: What’s a bad omen for Argentina supporters is that Rodrigo De Paul is not having a great game under these frantically intense conditions. And he just ran the ball out of play by himself. He’s off his game.
38th min.: An example of how hard-fought every ball is. Look at the kick that Lisandro Martinez just took to the face.
Lisandro Martinez. Built different pic.twitter.com/YpzQhv78bU
— UtdXclusive (@UtdXclusive) November 26, 2022
Watch in USA:
Ouch ? pic.twitter.com/2fNGLV2sn1
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
35th min.: Argentina chance. Surprise, surprise. It’s on a set-piece. But Mexico ‘keeper Memo Ochoa takes care of it. It’s the closest that Argentina have come to bothering the Mexico goal.
31st min.: Outside of a couple of Mexico set-pieces, we’ve really not seen much buildup from either side, with both teams battling hard in midfield. There are some strong tackles flying. But very little buildup.
25th min.: Mexico look a lot better than Argentina so far. It’s almost as if Argentina are realizing how hard this is going to be and Mexico are relishing in it. There’s not been a single dangerous attack from Messi & Co.
22nd min.: Yellow card to Mexico’s Nestor Araujo. It was a reckless challenge by the defender on Marcos Acuna. Again, Mexico are super aggressive to start.
Watch in USA:
Néstor Araujo is given the first yellow card of the match for this challenge ? pic.twitter.com/skyRIC4Brg
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
21st min.: Mexico set-piece. Another one earned by Chucky Lozano. This set-piece is elaborate and ineffective. Dibu Martinez comes out to collect. That was easy for him.
12th min.: Mexico are up for this one! They’ve come out intense. They’re going in strong on every challenge, and Andres Guardado just went all in on a slide-tackle against Rodrigo De Paul along the touchline. That’s how heated this one is already.
10th min.: Chance Mexico! Fantastic set-piece delivery by Luis Chavez and the ball bends to the far post, where a sliding Hector Moreno nearly makes contact, but doesn’t quite reach it.
Watch in USA:
Mexico is looking dangerous early ? pic.twitter.com/VmZlJm60W8
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
Watch in Canada:
Héctor Herrera can’t quite catch up to it, game remains 0-0. #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/kw8kxKbMQf
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 26, 2022
9th min.: First corner kick for Mexico, and it’s poorly taken. It’s sent to Messi! Mexico are now operating in Argentina’s half.
5th min.: The Mexican players are livid after Alexis Vega is called for a foul as Mexico tried a quick transition. But Vega did send a high arm into the face of Gonzalo Montiel in an attempt to protect the ball. There’s a long stoppage here as the medics attend to the Argentine right-back.
Watch in USA:
Things are already getting physical between Mexico and Argentina ? pic.twitter.com/oYwpcq31gj
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
4th min.: It’s all Argentina to start. Lionel Messi comes back into midfield to get on the ball at one point.
1st min.: We’re off. Mexico and Argentina in their traditional green kit.
2 mins from kickoff: Lionel Messi and Andres Guardado are the captains and they’re participating in the coin flip with the referee. Kickoff is moments away.
5 mins from kickoff: The teams are out on the field. National anthems forthcoming.
Argentina’s national anthem plays ahead of their matchup with Mexico ?? pic.twitter.com/6PTNkadFUq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
Mexico fans were LOUD during the national anthem ahead of their second match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup ?? pic.twitter.com/7Jx0BUDTdD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
23 mins from kickoff: This is going to be some game. From these videos you can sense the crackle of electricity in the air at Lusail.
Todo está listo para que la Selección Mexicana de Futbol enfrente a su similar de Argentina en un encuentro que promete emociones al ser decisivo para la permanencia de ambos en el Mundial de Qatar. pic.twitter.com/kWv3ZvfRYs
— Joaquín López-Dóriga (@lopezdoriga) November 26, 2022
Vamos argentina carajo ?? pic.twitter.com/8FRkcTxyLY
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) November 26, 2022
Hoy @miseleccionmx ?? juega de local en el estadio Lusail ( cortesía ? @Adolfinhos ) #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/qalyotzwmu
— Adolfo Peñaloza (@Adolfo_Penaloza) November 26, 2022
26 mins from kickoff: Mexico supporters look away. El Tri fans know about the history between these two teams at World Cups. But history does not bode well outside of World Cups, too.
?? Argentina are unbeaten in their past 10 meetings with Mexico, winning 7 of those 10 games#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/5RiWiqlqOR
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 26, 2022
28 mins from kickoff: Warmups are well underway at Lusail Stadium.
???️ Los futbolistas de Argentina realizan movimientos precompetitivos en el campo de juego. pic.twitter.com/OuFLTYAthC
— Canal Showsport (@ShowsportCanal) November 26, 2022
30 mins from kickoff: When he takes the field against Mexico, Lionel Messi will tie Diego Maradona for most World Cup games played for Argentina.
21 – Ante México, Lionel Messi ?? igualará a Diego Maradona ?? en partidos disputados en la #FIFAWorldCup (21). Héroes. pic.twitter.com/7cfAztbauj
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) November 26, 2022
1 hr, 15 mins from kickoff: We’ve got confirmed lineups for both teams. Mexico going with a 5-3-2 formation to frustrate an Argentina team making five changes from the loss against Saudi Arabia.
?CONFIRMADO?
Se confirma el 11 titular que les mostramos ayer!!!
El Tri con línea de 5 y sin 9 natural!!!@TUDNUSA @TUDNMEX https://t.co/WZFRcMCb04 pic.twitter.com/mhBKZ260mN
— Gibrán Araige (@GibranAraige) November 26, 2022
2 hrs from kickoff: Argentina’s fans in full voice at the Lusail Stadium … and there are still two hours to go. Mexico supporters have shown up in large numbers as well. It will be interesting to see which of the two can give the biggest boost to their squad.
La banda argentina. pic.twitter.com/ChCZN1Dp96
— Gastón Edul (@gastonedul) November 26, 2022
And here’s what’s happening outside the stadium:
Se Picó ? ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/lXdnEiugnK
— Leandro Aguilera (@Tato_Aguilera) November 26, 2022
2 hrs 30 mins from kickoff: It’s getting real. The lockers are ready to go. The Lusail Stadium is the same one that will host the World Cup final.
⚽️????? El vestuario de #Arg ya esta listo #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/U5ArhKEVsK
— Luciano Fryszberg (@luchofry) November 26, 2022
? VESTIDOR LISTO ✅
¿Ustedes ya traen puesto su jersey, Incondicionales? #MéxicoDeMiVida pic.twitter.com/ROiBdoJPhc— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) November 26, 2022
3 hrs 30 mins from kickoff: A report by Gaston Edul confirms the rumored lineup for Argentina with Leandro Paredes, Cristian Romero, Papu Gomez, Nicolas Tagliafico, and Nahuel Molina all sitting out.
Confirma @gastonedul el 11 de Argentina Akte México:
Dibu Martínez; Montiel, Otamendi, Lisandro, Acuña; De Paul, Guido Rodríguez, Alexis Mac Allister; Messi, Lautaro y Di María.
— Ale Liparoti ?? (@AleLiparoti) November 26, 2022
3 hrs 30 mins from kickoff: With Poland’s win over Saudi Arabia, no team in Group C can clinch a spot in the Round of 16.
Mexico scenarios: What it means for Mexico is that even in case of a loss against Argentina, it will still be in the running for a berth to the Round of 16, provided El Tri beat Saudi Arabia on the final day. A win or draw against Argentina would leave it in even better position.
Argentina scenarios: What’s clear is an Argentina loss to Mexico will eliminate Lionel Messi in his final World Cup. A draw against Mexico means that Argentina would need a lopsided win against Poland on the final day to ensure goal difference is in their favor.
4 hrs 45 mins from kickoff: Argentina supporters are already in full voice well ahead of kickoff:
“¡LA QUE TIENE A MESSI Y MARADONA!”. Impresionante fiesta argentina en Barwa con banderas gigantes del Diego flameando en el aire qatarí.
? #ESPNQatarEnStarPlus pic.twitter.com/ERM0q3mwDM
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) November 26, 2022
5 hrs from kickoff: Could Mexico spring the surprise against Argentina? Tata Martino is looking to Canada for inspiration.
Tata Martino was asked if Mexico can dominate tomorrow’s night game vs Argentina:
“Why not? We all watched Canada versus Belgium. That first half was a clinic by Canada. So why not try? From my POV, Canada has showed the best football after the first slate of games.” pic.twitter.com/V1Obua52jK
— Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) November 25, 2022
Argentina vs Mexico lineups, team news
Manager Lionel Scaloni made five changes to the team that lost to Saudi Arabia.
Gonzalo Montiel (right-back), Marcos Acuna (left-back), Lisandro Martinez (center-back), Guido Rodriguez (central midfield), and Alexis Mac Allister (central midfield) are getting the start ahead of the likes of Cristian Romero and Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez who are still not at 100 percent fitness.
Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23-Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez (GK) — 4-Gonzalo Montiel, 25-Lisandro Martinez, 19-Nicolas Otamendi, 8-Marcos Acuna — 7-Rodrigo De Paul, 18-Guido Rodriguez, 20-Alexis Mac Allister — 11-Angel Di Maria, 22-Lautaro Martinez, 10-Lionel Messi
Manager Tata Martino is in fact moving to a 5-3-2 formation with Nestor Araujo added as the third center-back.
And with all the debate around the center forward position, El Tri will not be using a recognised central striker with the team’s two best attackers leading the line instead.
Mexico (5-3-2, right to left): 13-Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa (GK) — 26-Kevin Alvarez, 2-Nestor Araujo, 3-Cesar Montes, 15-Hector Moreno, 23-Jesus Gallardo — 16-Hector Herrera, 18-Andres Guardado, 24-Luis Chavez— 22-Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano, 10-Alexis Vega
Argentina vs Mexico live stream, TV channel
The stakes could not be higher for this match at Lusail Stadium, with Messi and his Argentina teammates staring at the unthinkable prospect of an early exit from Qatar.
Mexico would love nothing more than to send the South Americans packing after the pain the Albiceleste have inflicted in past tournaments.
Here’s how to watch the action in some of the major global territories:
| Date | Time | TV Channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Saturday, Nov. 26 | 14:00 ET | FS1, Telemundo | fuboTV, Fox Sports site/app, Telemundo Deportes site/app, Peacock |
| Canada | Saturday, Nov. 26 | 14:00 EST | TSN, CTV, RDS (French) | TSN site/app, CTV site/app, RDS app |
| UK | Saturday, Nov. 26 | 19:00 GMT | ITV, STV | ITVX, STV Player |
| Australia | Sunday, Nov. 27 | 06:00 AEDT | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| India | Sunday, Nov. 27 | 00:30 IST | Sports18 | Voot, JioTV |
| Hong Kong | Sunday, Nov. 27 | 03:00 HKT | Now TV (Ch. 616, 618) | Now TV |
| Malaysia | Sunday, Nov. 27 | 03:00 HKT | Astro | Astro GO |
| Singapore | Sunday, Nov. 27 | 03:00 HKT | StarHub (Ch. 251/252), Singtel TV | MeWatch, Singtel TV GO, CAST, StarHub TV+ |
| New Zealand | Sunday, Nov. 27 | 08:00 NZDT | Sky Sport 7 beIN Sports | Sky Go, Sky Sport NOW |