Legendary forward Lionel Messi and young sensation Enzo Fernandez fired Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Mexico in their Group C clash at the Qatar World Cup 2022 on Saturday night. The PSG star now has 8 World Cup goals in his illustrious career, equalling iconic compatriot Diego Maradona and arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Magical Messi. Mesmerising Messi. Momentous Messi. You name it, and he lives up to it. Argentina needed their hero Lionel Messi to rise to the occasion, and the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner delivered. And even Mexico's sensational goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa couldn't stop the 35-year-old Argentinian superhero.
In a do-or-die clash against Tata Martino's men at the Qatar World Cup 2022 in front of a packed Lusail Stadium, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star scored his 8th World Cup goal as Argentina registered a thrilling 2-0 victory.
A day after Diego Maradona's second death anniversary, Messi equalled the legendary Argentinian and arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup goals tally, sending his fans into a tizzy. Messi also became the first man ever to assist in different World Cups.
That's the reason why Messi remains GOAT ...Messi Fc all the way!..what a goal!...drop some love for ur favorite โค๏ธ.. Argentina give us hot๐ฅ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/cxtQMiCdQH
โ king James๐ (@james74227)Argentina looked worryingly flat in the first half of the crucial clash against Mexico, having made five changes to their team that suffered a shocking 1-2 loss to Saudi Arabia earlier this week. Alexis Vega had Mexico's best chance in a disappointing and scoreless first half, but Emiliano Martnez expertly stopped his curling free-kick.
After the break, Messi had his opportunity from a similar distance with a free-kick, but he misjudged the ball's trajectory, and it harmlessly sailed over Ochoa's crossbar. The most noteworthy play of the match was the Argentine captain's low 25-yard strike that fizzed into the bottom corner in the 64th minute of the clash.
Lusail Stadium erupted, and fans of the South American giants, pegged as one of the favourites to lift the trophy on December 18, got what they came to see. Magical Messi joined the party, and the celebration after the legendary forward's goal spoke volumes of what the goal meant to him and his teammates.
With three minutes remaining, Argentina put the game beyond Mexico when substitute Enzo Fernandez curled a beauty into the far corner for one of the tournament's best goals. La Albiceleste witnessed one goal from a legend and the other from a budding sensation, sparking massive excitement among fans of Argentina.
Argentinaโs hopes stay alive! ๐ฆ๐ท |
โ FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)"The happiest moment football has given me in all these years," noted on user on Twitter as he shared a photo of Messi's goal celebration.
"Messi has been smiling in every photo since Tuesday, he knew what was coming, dont ever doubt him," noted another fan of the legendary forward, while a third remarked, "Messi has 19 goals and 15 assists in 24 games this season."
A fourth fan stated, "This is easily one of the biggest games in Messiโs career, with the team playing terribly and the entire world watching. He steps up with a wonder goal and then assists another to seal the win. What will they say now?"
Here's a look at the reactions that flooded Twitter following Messi's crucial goal in Argentina's 2-0 win over Mexico:
8th World Cup goal
19th official goal in 2022-23
93rd goal for Argentina
788th senior career goal pic.twitter.com/v6qo42jn4k
Lionel Messi has officially equaled Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona goals in the World Cup (8) ๐ pic.twitter.com/hnzhSKY4u7
โ LSPN FC (@LSPNFC_)'Messi.. OOOO that's what they came for. It is Messi Moment..and Argentina are aliveโ
Peter Drury โค๏ธ๐ฅ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/WbBQnOmc8U
You know the goal means a lot to Messi when this celebration comes pic.twitter.com/3bpN6jvgB2
โ JEY๐ฆ๐ท๐ช๐ธ (@MmoaNkoaaa)Lionel Andrรฉs Messi. Two goals in this World Cup, eight total World Cup goals in his career. โญ๏ธ๐ฆ๐ท pic.twitter.com/WSL06AD6cg
โ Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)Lionel Messi has scores his 8th World Cup goal drawing level with Diego Maradona.๐ฆ๐ท๐ pic.twitter.com/05L6xUS2vu
โ Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen)LEO MESSI. WHEN ARGENTINA NEEDS HIM.
HUGE ๐ pic.twitter.com/rwOrMYoIv6
๐๏ธ Lionel Messi becomes the first man ever to assist in 5โฃ different World Cups!
๐ 2022 ๐
ฐ๏ธ๐
๐ 2018 ๐
ฐ๏ธ๐
ฐ๏ธ
๐ 2014 ๐
ฐ๏ธ
๐ 2010 ๐
ฐ๏ธ
๐ 2006 ๐
ฐ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/XXHeSnlcHP
The happiest moment football has given me in all these years pic.twitter.com/YLr64qdFtm
โ Ankur (@AnkurMessi_)Messi has been smiling in every photo since Tuesday, he knew what was coming, dont ever doubt him ๐
โ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด (@TheMahleek)Messi has 19 goals and 15 assists in 24 games this season.
35 years old. pic.twitter.com/YTq6VCWEcH
This is easily one of the biggest games in Messiโs career, with the team playing terribly and the entire world watching. He steps up with a wonder goal and then assists another to seal the win.
What will they say now? pic.twitter.com/zi1yVE1qSv
๐ฆ๐ท What a moment. Messi steps up again. pic.twitter.com/7e2K7uv237
โ UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague)2017 and 2022.
Leo Messi has saved Argentina once again๐ฆ๐ท๐ pic.twitter.com/DVWdevXTnG
โWhat does tonight mean for Messiโs legacy if he doesnโt turn up?โ
I guess weโll never know. pic.twitter.com/QNa0b62xYI
WHAT A GAME. WHAT A PERFORMANCE FROM THE GOAT. pic.twitter.com/GksV9pUvAZ
โ TM (@TotalLeoMessi)