Record-Breaking Lionel Messi Inspires Argentina Win Over Mexico

Lionel Messi revived Argentina's World Cup hopes with an important goal as they bounced back to record a 2-0 victory over South American rivals Mexico

Messi and his teammates desperately needed the win after they were embarrassed with a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening game.

The 35-year old took a touch from Angel Di Maria's pass across the face of the area and drove a low shot from 25 meters into the bottom corner in the 64th minute.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner then teed up Enzo Fernandez for his first senior international goal three minutes from time to keep their round of 16 hopes alive.

Messi has now become the first player in World Cup history to provide an assist at five separate World Cup tournaments.

He broke his own record, after setting up one goal in 2006, 2010, 2014 and now 2022 as well as two goals in 2018.

This comes days after his arch nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo broke a record of his own by becoming the only player to have scored in 5 separate World Cup tournaments.

Messi has also become both the youngest and the oldest player to both score and assist in a single World Cup match since the beginning of the 1966 World Cup.

Messi both scored and assisted at the age of 18 years and 357 days against Serbia in the 2006 group stage, and has now repeated the feat against Mexico in this year's tournament at the age of 35 years and 155 days.

Argentina have climbed up to second in Group C and they currently sit one point behind leaders Poland, who will lock horns with La Albiceleste in their final group game next Wednesday.

Lionel Scaloni's side must win if they wish to finish at the summit of the group, while a draw could be enough to qualify if Saudi Arabia fail to beat Mexico.