Nick Ames’ match report has landed, so I’ll leave you with that. Goodnight!
“Why are the CONCACAF teams so bad?” asks Kurt Perlerberg.
I’m not sure they are – Canada were fantastic against Belgium and the USA have played pretty well in both games. Mexico and Costa Rica, not so much.
We’re just seeing replays of the two goals. They were both so classy – not just the finishes but the touch (or in Fernandez’s case the shimmy) to set themselves up.
MESSIIIIIIIIIIIIII!! 🙌
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 26, 2022
The Argentina captain comes up with a moment of magic to light up the tight game with this gorgeous finish... 🇦🇷#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/RIHjU46QDC
What. A. Goal!
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 26, 2022
Enzo Fernandez just scored this absolute worldie to surely secure the win for Argentina!! 🚀#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/RgFWLc8Tyi
And now for something completely different
“How are Mexico so bad?” says Adam Hirst. “Even for football’s great underachievers, they’ve underachieved here.”
I thought Lozano and Vega looked pretty bright up front, but for a lot of the game the formation was almost 8-0-2. They really missed Edson Alvarez in midfield as well. But yeah, this is the worst Mexican team I’ve seen at a World Cup, although I wasn’t there in 1954.
Here’s how Group C looks
Poland 4pts, GD+2
Argentina 3pts, GD+1
Saudi Arabia 3pts, GD-1
Mexico 1pt, GD-2
The final games are Poland v Argentina and Saudi Arabia v Mexico.
Poland need a draw, though they could go through with a defeat
Argentina need a win to be sure, though they could go through with a draw
Saudi Arabia need a win to be sure, though they could go through with a draw
Mexico need a win to have any chance
Full time: Argentina 2-0 Mexico
Peep peep! Argentina are still in the World Cup. It was an ugly victory secured by two beauteous second-half goals from Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez. It was a desperate game, and Kylian Mbappe won’t be losing any sleep, but they did the necessary and that was by far the most important thing.
Mexico aren’t out of the competition yet, but their toothless performance suggests they will struggle to keep up their record of qualifying for the last 16 in every World Cup since 1994.
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90+4 min Messi is lucky not to be booked for a poor tackle on Moreno.
90+2 min Six minutes of added time. They could play for six millenniums and Mexico wouldn’t score.
90+1 min If Argentina beat Poland on Wednesday, they’ll go through – probably as group winners, which would mean avoiding France in the last 16. If they draw, they’ll be at the mercy of the result in the other game.
90 min Alvarado is booked for taking his frustration out on Otamendi’s face.
Argentina took a short corner on the left and fed the ball into Fernandez on the left corner of the area. He beat Gutierrez through sleight of hip, then shaped an extravagant curling shot across goal. It beat the leaping Ochoa and nestled in the far corner.
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GOAL! Argentina 2-0 Mexico (Fernandez 87)
Enzo Fernandez seals victory – and gives Argentina a potentially crucial goal-difference boost – with another beautiful goal!
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86 min Argentina break promisingly but De Paul’s heavy touch allows Gallardo to nip it in the bud.
85 min Corner to Mexico on the left. Chavez curls it to the near post, Romero heads clear. Mexico have been so poor.
82 min Chavez’s inswinging free-kick from the right is headed across the area by an Argentina defender then back across goal by Moreno. It’s too close to Emi Martinez, who claims comfortably.
81 min Although they are having a lot of the ball now, Mexico look pretty toothless.
79 min Not that Argentina will or should care, but this has been a hideous game.
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77 min Palacios releases Alvarez down the left. He charges into the area and cuts the ball back towards Messi, who can’t quite ther before the defender. Moments later Messi’s cutback is kicked away by Ochoa.
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74 min Mexico have been slightly better since the goal, though in truth they don’t particularly look like scoring. It’s been their problem since World Cup qualification began in September 2021.
73 min Mexico bring off Hirving Lozano, which is a bit of a surprise. Roberto Alvarado is on in his place.
72 min Goal difference may also be a factor, so a second Argentina goal could be deceptively significant.
72 min If it stays like this, Argentina could qualify with a draw against Poland on Wednesday, depending on the result in Saudi Arabia v Mexico. It’s all pretty complex. Mexico won’t be out if they lose either.
70 min Acuna’s cross finds its way through to Molina, who slashes over from the edge of the area. That was half a chance.
MESSIIIIIIIIIIIIII!! 🙌
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 26, 2022
The Argentina captain comes up with a moment of magic to light up the tight game with this gorgeous finish... 🇦🇷#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/RIHjU46QDC
69 min: Double substitution for Argentina Cristian Romero, who was supposed to be injured, and Ezequiel Palacios replace Alexis Mac Allister and Angel Di Maria. That might mean a switch to a back five.
68 min Antuna plays a one-two and threads a low cross that is booted behind. No matter, Antuna was offside.
67 min Hector Herrera is booked for a cynical foul.
66 min Double substitution for Mexico: Raul Jimenez and Uriel Antuna replace Alexis Vega and Kevin Alvarez. That means a switch to a back four.
65 min The finish was unerringly precise but the touch to set it up was even better. Any lighter and he wouldn’t have been able to get sufficient momentum into the shot; any heavier and he’d have been smothered by the outrushing defenders.
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It was a goal out of nothing. Di Maria cut inside from the right and shaped a good pass into Messi, inexplicably unmarked 25 yards from goal. His first touch was perfect, setting himself up for the shot, and he rifled a low drive into the bottom corner. That’s a lovely goal.
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GOAL! Argentina 1-0 Mexico (Yep 64)
Lionel Messi puts Argentina in front!
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64 min “I don’t think that any World Cup matches of the modern era have been played in filthy rain and mud, but it would improve this one immeasurably,” says Charles Antaki. “ Also dense fog.”
63 min: Double substitution for Argentina Julian Alvarez and Nahuel Molina replace Lautaro Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel.
62 min A draw is a better result for Mexico, and that’s reflected in the balance of play. Mexico are playing almost exclusively on the counter-attack now.
60 min A booming free-kick from Vega is headed away really well by Otamendi, running towards his own goal. The second half has been a bit better, even if we’ve still had only one shot on target in the whole game.
59 min Messi stabs a dangerous through pass towards Lautaro Martinez that is well read by Araujo. There’s no eye in the Mexican needle.
57 min: Argentina substitution Enzo Fernandez replaces Guido Rodriguez.
57 min This is a decent spell for Argentina, probably their best of the match.
56 min Di Maria gets round the back on the right and pulls the ball back dangerously. Mac Allister, arriving late in the box, is about to shoot when Chavez makes a vital interception.
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54 min There’s a bit more intensity from Argentina in this half, but not as much as you’d expect in the circumstances. They look like a team who had a pamper at half-time rather than a hairdryer.
53 min “Boxing is a notoriously difficult sport to exit on a high but two British fighters managed it this century,” says Max Williams. “Carl Froch knocked out George Groves at Wembley Stadium (in front of 80,000 people, supposedly) and Lennox Lewis resisted the temptation of a rematch with Vitali Klitschko after beating the Ukrainian challenger (and 2022 war hero) via a slightly fortuitous TKO. Both retired as world champions – undisputed in the case of Lewis.”
Ah yes, Froch is a perfect example – the last punch of his career was also the best.
52 min It’s a poor free-kick from Messi, clipped well over the bar.
51 min The free-kick is slightly to the right of centre, maybe 22 yards from goal. In other words, the perfect position for a left-footed genius.
50 min A sudden, thrilling burst from Messi, who scurries to the edge of the D and is taken out by Gutierrez. He’s booked.
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48 min The referee ignores a dive from Lautaro Martinez and Mexico break. Lozano cuts inside and hits a long-range shot that is blocked.
46 min Peep peep! Argentina begin the second half. If it stays like this, they’ll need to beat Poland by at least two goals to be sure of reaching the last 16. And Mexico would need to beat Saudi Arabia by any score to progress.
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Your nominations for people who did got out at the top Rocky Marciano, Steffi Graf, Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Didier Deschamps, Garry Kasparov, Basil Fawlty.
“The first half in summary,” writes Richard Byrne.
“I have a rough and ready way of judging which team is on top by adding the attempts on and off target and the corners, then subtracting the fouls,” says Richard Hirst. “I think this is the first time I’ve ever known both teams have a negative total.”
“I bought a 65-inch new telly to watch this twaddle,” says Paul. “This game has sent my wife and the cat to sleep.”
Fifa have got some nerve scheduling a World Cup during Black Friday.
“Mexico playing five across the back when Argentina have the ball and two defensive mids in front of that, giving Messi no spaces to run into and forcing him deeper,” says Rick McGahey. “Martino knows his opponent.”
There’s no eye in the Mexican needle, that’s for sure. I’m surprised Argentina haven’t looked for their full-backs more.
Half-time reading
Half time: Argentina 0-0 Mexico
That was probably the worst 45 minutes of the tournament, but the tension and importance of the game made it must-see TV. There was only one shot on target, a free-kick from the lively Alexis Vega that was saved comfortably by Emi Martinez. See you soon for the second half.
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45+6 min Di Maria gives it to Messi, who plays in the overlapping left-back Acuna. He hammers a dangerous low cross that is put behind at the near post. That was good defending, even if I’m not sure whodunnit.
45+5 min Vega smashes a half-volley into orbit from about 25 yards. He’s a confident boy.
45+3 min “This match,” says Chris Holborn, “reminds me of West Ham under David Moyes this season except for the sombreros.”
There’s more of a fedora culture at the London Stadium isn’t there.
45+2 min Messi reminds us of his presence by, er, fouling Gutierrez. He looks thoroughly hacked off.
45+2 “Surely if we’re talking about people who’ve gone out on top, Ash Barty’s a shoo-in?” writes Charan. “Winning a grand slam then retiring at the grand old age of 25 is probably the way to do it.”
45+1 min There will be five minutes of added tension.
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45 min Vega curls a good free-kick over the wall, and Emi Martinez flies to his right to make a fairly majestic – and camera-friendly – two-handed catch.
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43 min The substitute Gutierrez is fouled 25 yards from goal by Montiel, who is booked. It was an absurd tackle, an agricultural hack to the shins when Gutierrez got to a loose ball first.
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41 min: Mexico substitution Ah, this is sad. Andreas Guardado, who has played in every World Cup since 2006, is going off injured. He’s replaced by Erick Gutierrez.
41 min The corner is taken short to Di Maria, whose inswinging cross is headed wretchedly high and wide by Lautaro Martinez. He’d been penalised for a push, so it wouldn’t have counted, but it was a really poor header.
40 min Montiel’s cross goes behind for a corner. Since you asked, Messi has done nothing, but really that applies to all the attacking players. Lozano has looked quite bright for Mexico; that’s about it.
39 min “Regarding the 9th minute, really, who does go out on top?” says Travis Giblin. “I’ll nominate Zidane, but maybe that wasnt quite the definition of ‘the top’ that Nick Parmenter is looking for.”
It’s fascinatingly rare in all sports. Even utter geniuses like Don Bradman, Usain Bolt and Phil Taylor couldn’t manage it.
Zidane wins the David Chase award for best on-my-terms ending.
37 min See 27 min, apart from the bit about the cross. It’s rubbish.
36 min Lisandro Martinez goes down holding his face. This time, with good reason: Lozano accidentally booted him in the jaw. Teak-tough 5ft 9ins defender that he is, Martinez is fine to continue.
34 min Messi swings it under the crossbar, where Ochoa punches the ball up in the air. He goes for the second ball, feels a bit of contact from a Martinez, don’t ask me which one, and goes down. It was probably a foul to be fair.
I’ve just realised that Ochoa is dressed like a Nathan Barley character.
33 min De Paul is fouled by Vega on the right wing, close to the corner flag. Messi wanders over to get involved…
32 min I can’t wait to hear Roy Keane’s views on this at half-time. He’ll be reaching for the sh-word, and I don’t mean shithousery.
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31 min Nothing’s happening. It’s a great occasion let down only by the football.
29 min “Just want to remind all Argentina fans that if Argentina draw this match, they will definitely meet the French in the last 16,” writes Anis Aslaam. “That’s assuming that they can defeat Poland first.”
Good point. Maybe, as Zafar wrote in the 23rd minute, it is 2018 all over again.
28 min Messi heads miles over from Acuna’s cross, but it wouldn’t have counted as Acuna had already been penalised for plunging his studs into Alvarez’s leg. It was accidental, I think.
28 min The player of the match so far is this little rascal.
This little dude pic.twitter.com/gIRDtZ2UWX
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) November 26, 2022
27 min Kevin Alvarez hoofs a cross straight out of play. In terms of quality and entertainment, this is muck. In terms of tension and importance, it’s exquisite.
26 min “This,” says Alexandra Fullerton, “is like watching Costa Rica...”
CR7, as they’re now known.
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25 min After good play from Messi and De Paul (I think), Montiel’s first-time cross drifts out of play beyond the far post. He was offside anyway.
23 min “Could it be that Argentina are simply not very good?” says Zafar. “This looks very much like the 2018 team.”
It could indeed, though I suppose the 2018 team didn’t go 35 games without defeat. They haven’t looked good so far, that’s for sure; their passing has been especially poor.
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22 min Araujo is booked for a lunge at Acuna. He got the ball but followed through, studs up, so it was a fair decision.
21 min Mexico try a training-ground free-kick, but the final ball is too close to Emi Martinez.
20 min The effervescent Lozano wriggles away from Otamendi and is fouled. Free-kick to Mexico, 30 yards from goal…
19 min It’s tense. It was always going to be tense. Apart from the first 4-5 minutes, Argentina have struggled to keep the ball.
18 min There’s some nascent shithousery, with a few players making the most of any contact. Guardado runs into Lautaro Martinez, shoulder-first, and goes down holding his head.
16 min A terrible pass is nicked by Lozano just outside the area. He makes for goal and is well tackled by Otamendi.
15 min Mexico look bright, especially in transition, with Vega and Lozano playing as split strikers rather than a conventional front pair.
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12 min There’s a delicious intensity to this game, and Guardado and De Paul slide into an old-fashioned 50/50 with abundant relish. Both bounce straight to their feet, looking for the next one.
11 min A reminder that (unless I’ve miscalculated), Argentina don’t have to win tonight. Their fate will still be in their own hands if they draw, but they would need to beat Poland by two goals on Wednesday to be certain of going through. I think.
10 min Almost a chance for Mexico. An outswinging free-kick from the left is helped on and bounces past the man sliding in at the far post.
9 min “It’s been vaguely discussed but what if Messi DOES go home early tonight?” says Nick Parmenter. “Always hoped him and Ronaldo wouldn’t go through the human phase of their career at the end, wanted them to retire at the very top like so few others do!”
Who do you think they are, Eric Cantona?
9 min The corner is a hot mess.
8 min Mexico are starting to settle into the game. Lozano makes a good run down the right and wins a corner off Lisandro Martinez.
7 min “It’s refreshing to see that with Mac Allister in the starting XI, Argentina have Brighton-ed things up a little,” says Peter Oh.
6 min I thought Montiel made the most of it but he was down for a fair while and is still feeling his jaw, so maybe I did him a disservice.
5 min Vega breaks dangerously down the left, just past the halfway line, and holds off Montiel, who goes down holding his face. The referee gives a foul, and Argentina’s players ask for a card. It’s not forthcoming. It was a 50/50 decision, the foul that is, and Vega would have been clear in the inside-left channel.
4 min A positive start from Argentina, who have had most of the possession in the early doors. The noise in the stadium is incredible.
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3 min “Has anyone actually ever seen Ochoa play for a club side?” says Matt Dony. “I’ve heard stories, there are Wikipedia entries, but I’m sure it’s all propaganda. He only plays for the national side, and almost all of his appearances are at the World Cup. He’ll definitely be there in 2026, and he’ll still be 37.”
He spent three years at Ajaccio, and you couldn’t make that up.
1 min Peeeeeeeeeeeeep peeeeeeeeeeeeep! Mexico kick off from right to left as we watch.
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These shouty morons on the pitch before games... why do we need this? Who enjoys this?
— Jonathan Wilson (@jonawils) November 26, 2022
Surely Argentina can’t go out of the World Cup inside the first week. We’re about to find out.
Opinions are like foibles
Wayne Hennessy will be welcoming this #ARGMEX game. At least by 9.30 tonight he won't be the only player sent off in this World Cup.#Tasty
— Danny Baker (@prodnose) November 26, 2022
Here come the players. With profuse apologies to Qatar v Ecuador, this feels like the first huge occasion of the World Cup. The atmosphere is spectacular.
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A reminder of the teams
Argentina (possible 4-4-2) E Martinez; Montiel, Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Acuna; Di Maria, De Paul, Rodriguez, Mac Allister; Messi, Lisandro Lautaro Martinez.
Substitutes: Armani, Rulli, Foyth, Tagliafico, Paredes, Pezzella, Alvarez, Romero, Palacios, Correa, Almada, Gomez, Dybala, Fernandez, Molina.
Mexico (possible 5-3-2) Ochoa; K Alvarez, Araujo, Montes, Moreno, Gallardo; Herrera, Chavez, Guardado; Lozano, Vega.
Substitutes: Talavera, Cota, E Alvarez, Vasquez, Arteaga, Romo, Rodriguez, Jimenez, Funes Mori, Gutierrez, Pineda, Sanchez, Martin, Antuna, Alvarado
Referee Daniele Orsato (Italy)
This happened earlier today. Doesn’t sound like too much damage was done, aside from the obvious.
Two years ago yesterday, Diego Maradona died at the age of 60. Here’s a piece on the World Cup that gave us the greatest insight into his character: Italia 90.
“Just take it easy, Lionel”
“I’m perfectly calm, Dude”
“Yeah, making five changes after one freak result?!”
“Calmer than you are”
“Will you just take it easy?”
“Calmer than you are”
“Big fan of Lisandro Martinez (surely for Otamendi rather than Romero),” writes Stewart, “but asking him to play both 6 and 9 is asking a helluva lot.”
That was a mistake waiting to happen, and boy did I make it happen. I think Romero’s injured by the way, though he is also officially on the bench.
The permutations
I’ve probably got at least one of these wrong, because my brain ain’t what it used to be, so here’s a pre-emptive mea culpa.
Argentina
If they win tonight, a victory by any score against Poland on Wednesday night will put them through to the last 16. A draw might be enough.
If they draw tonight, they will need to beat Poland – possibly by two goals, depending on the result of Saudi Arabia v Mexico – to qualify.
If they lose tonight, they will be booked on flight DO 1 to Buenos Aires.
Mexico
If they win tonight, a draw against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday would ensure a place in the last 16. They could go through with a defeat against Saudi Arabia if Argentina beat Poland, though it would depend on goal difference.
If they draw tonight, they will only qualify if they beat Saudi Arabia.
If they lose tonight, they need to win against Saudi Arabia and hope Poland beat Argentina. If Poland draw with Argentina, it’ll come down to goal difference.
Group C latest
Earlier today, Poland beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 to move top of the group, and a 34-year-old man ticked something off his bucket list.
History corner
The best part (okay, not the best part) is the dull thud when his left boot connects with the ball.
Team news: five changes for Argentina, no Alvarez for Mexico
Lionel Scaloni has decided to rip it up and start again, with five changes from the defeat to Saudi Arabia. Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna, Guido Rodriguez and Alexis Mac Allister replace Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes and Papu Gomez.
Mexico are without the Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez, arguably their best player. I assume he’s injured, though he is officially listed among the substitutes. He’s replaced by the legendary Andres Guardado, who will win his 36th cap at the age of 179. Wait, hang on.
Guardado for Alvarez is one of three changes from the draw with Poland. Kevin Alvarez replaces Jorge Sanchez and Nestor Araujo is in for Henry Martin, which probably means a switch to 5-3-2. Raul Jimenez remains on the bench.
Argentina (possible 4-4-2) E Martinez; Montiel, Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Acuna; Di Maria, De Paul, Rodriguez, Mac Allister; Messi, Lisandro Lautaro Martinez.
Substitutes: Armani, Rulli, Foyth, Tagliafico, Paredes, Pezzella, Alvarez, Romero, Palacios, Correa, Almada, Gomez, Dybala, Fernandez, Molina.
Mexico (possible 5-3-2) Ochoa; K Alvarez, Araujo, Montes, Moreno, Gallardo; Herrera, Chavez, Guardado; Lozano, Vega.
Substitutes: Talavera, Cota, E Alvarez, Vasquez, Arteaga, Romo, Rodriguez, Jimenez, Funes Mori, Gutierrez, Pineda, Sanchez, Martin, Antuna, Alvarado
Referee Daniele Orsato (Italy)
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Preamble
<Big Brother> Day seven, and Argentina are up for eviction.</Big Brother> Lionel Scaloni’s Messi’s side were supposed to cruise through Group C and begin their World Cup proper with a last-16 tie against Denmark and France. But their astounding, wallchart-busting defeat to Saudi Arabia on whatever day it was, there are no days of the week during the World Cup group stage means that, less than a week into the tournament, they are fighting for their metaphorical lives.
The situation is simple, just like in the old days: if Argentina lose to Mexico in Lusail tonight they will be out, and Messi will never score a goal in the knockout stages of a World Cup, never mind win the thing. Argentina have gone out at the first group stage on only three occasions: 1958, 1962 and, most famously/recently, 2002, when Marcelo Bielsa’s side were groupofdeathed by Sweden and England.
Tonight they could be eliminated by one of their own – Tata Martino, former coach of Argentina and Barcelona among others, is in charge of Mexico. Things aren’t quite as critical for his side. They won’t be out if they lose tonight, though they would need a big favour from Poland on Wednesday. Mexico, as any fule kno, are supposed to reach the last 16 and go no further; that’s what has happened in the last seven World Cups.
They started with a watchful but not especially watchable 0-0 draw against Poland, in which Robert Lewandowski’s penalty was saved by Guillermo Ochoa. Mexico’s big problem is goalscoring – they managed just 17 in 14 games during qualification, and they would sell their soul to have the old, pre-skull fracture Raul Jimenez back.
Kick off 7pm GMT, 10pm in Lusail, 4pm in Buenos Aires, 1pm in Mexico City.
📍🏟️🇦🇷🆚🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/FEn4BjFEWa
— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) November 26, 2022
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