Argentina sat at the bottom of Group C with thirty minutes remaining in their second World Cup match. Then Lionel Messi reminded the world why he remains the game’s premier talent.
On November 26, 2022, at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, Argentina defeated Mexico 2-0. The result kept their championship dreams alive following a shocking opening loss to Saudi Arabia. The contest drew 88,966 spectators, marking the highest attendance for a men's World Cup game in twenty-eight years.
Argentina entered the tournament on a 36-match unbeaten run but fell to zero points after the upset against Saudi Arabia. Mexico, holding one point from a draw, faced a tense first half defined by cautious play. Neither side could break the deadlock before halftime.
The turning point arrived in the sixty-fourth minute. Ángel Di María provided an assist, allowing Messi to unleash a strike from outside the box that flew into the net.
In the eighty-seventh minute, substitute Enzo Fernández curled in a second goal, securing the victory. The twenty-one-year-old midfielder announced himself on the global stage, later winning the Best Young Player award. The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 win, moving Argentina to three points in Group C.
This victory marked their 32nd head-to-head encounter, extending Argentina’s all-time series lead to sixteen wins against Mexico’s twelve. This turnaround became the defining narrative of Argentina’s journey, which culminated in winning the entire tournament and Messi lifting the trophy.