Argentina has kept its World Cup hopes alive with a fiercely-fought 2-0 win over Mexico at Lusail Stadium — and, as ever, they had Lionel Messi to thank.
The result — following Poland's 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia earlier in the night — gives La Albiceleste a good chance of going through to the round of 16, despite their opening, stunning loss to Saudi Arabia.
There were nerves aplenty at Lusail Stadium, as Argentina went into the game knowing that defeat would mean a disastrous group stage exit from the World Cup with one match still to come.
The game was tense and physical from the start, with tackles flying in and chances at a premium.
Messi's side still looked out of sorts, and were giving the ball away on a regular basis, frustrating coach Lionel Scaloni.
Mexico had only one shot on target in the first half, a free-kick curled toward the top left corner before being plucked from the air by Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez.
Argentina came out after half-time looking a different side — their passing was better and they started to put Mexico under pressure.
The breakthrough came in the 64th minute through Messi, who was given a bare chance to shoot from outside the box after the ball was centred by Angel di Maria.
He took one touch and then fired a rasping left foot shot into the bottom corner of the net, setting off big celebrations from fans and players alike.
Argentina then took control, and they made sure of the points with less than five minutes left in normal time when Messi got the ball on the left, and set Enzo Fernandez into the box.
Fernandez controlled the ball, jinked around the Mexican defence and curled an unstoppable shot beyond Guillermo Ochoa into the far corner.
In the other match of the night, defending champions France defeated Denmark 2-1 to clinch a spot in the last 16.
Star striker Kylian Mbappe made the difference, finishing off an end-to-end move for France's first in the 61st minute, and then ghosting in at the back post to convert a cross from Antoine Griezmann.
In between, Denmark had levelled the scores with a goal to Andreas Christensen entering the final quarter of the game.
The loss to Denmark, coupled with Australia's 1-0 win over Tunisia, means the Socceroos should be able to go through with a draw against Denmark, unless the Tunisians score a shock big win over France.
Look back at all the action from Qatar as it happened in our live blog.
Key events
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Live updates
That's where we'll leave it
By Andrew McGarry
It's been a big night of World Cup football - and the big guns France and Argentina have got the job done.
France are through and Argentina have the momentum back ahead of the final set of games.
There are four more games tonight, starting with Japan - Costa Rica at 9pm AEDT.
If you join us for tomorrow morning's blog from 5am AEDT, we will bring you up to speed with all the action from the early games, including Croatia-Canada and Belgium-Morocco, and then live coverage of the BIG one - Spain vs Germany from 6am AEDT.
I'm Andrew McGarry, thanks for joining me on this morning's blog. Good morning to you!
How the internet reacted to the Socceroos' win
By Andrew McGarry
As Australian fans watched nervously around the country, the Socceroos got the job done against Tunisia - but it was not an easy game to get through!
There would have been plenty keeping an eye on proceedings, given the importance of the game and the gun timing of 9pm AEDT on a Saturday night.
Mitch Duke's go-ahead score got people up and about, but there was still 70 more minutes to survive, and the nerves were high.
Finally, with a very conservative six minutes of stoppage time elapsed, the final whistle sounded, and the nation rejoiced.
Federation Square in Melbourne was again a scene of total pandemonium.
Socceroos embrace the fight against Tunisia
By Andrew McGarry
Just a reminder, in case anyone missed it - the OTHER big game of the night came in Group D, where Australia kept their World Cup hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Tunisia.
It was in doubt right until the end, and one move in particular in the 85th minute proved pivotal. Socceroo Kye Rowles gave the ball away, and as ABC's reporter in Qatar, Samantha Lewis, puts it:
"Tunisia's substitute striker, Taha Yassine Khenissi, swept on his error like a ravenous eagle, picking up the ball and flying into the clear space beyond.
"However, as Rowles turned around, expecting to watch Tunisia bury an equaliser and put a potential end to Australia's World Cup dreams, what he saw instead was Harry Souttar — all six-foot-seven of him — opening his shoulders and lengthening his stride as he charged across the field, reeling in the quick Tunisian with every galactic step.
"Souttar barrelled towards Khenissi and, with an almost four-dimensional sense of timing, threw his towering frame towards the striker and came out on the other side with the ball.
"It was so unexpected that even the overhead camera followed the hypothetical path Khenissi should have carved into the penalty box."
For more of Samantha's excellent analysis of a stirring game by the Socceroos, you can read her story here.
Where does Group C go from here?
By Andrew McGarry
So how does Group C look right now after the two games tonight?
Poland's win over Saudi Arabia puts them top of the group on four points, with a +2 goal difference.
Argentina jump to second spot thanks to the win over Mexico. They are on three points, with a +1 goal difference.
Saudi Arabia lie in third place, also on three points but with a -1 goal difference after shipping two against Poland.
Mexico are left on the bottom of the group, on one point with a -2 goal difference.
The final round sees Argentina take on Poland and Mexico face Saudi Arabia.
Argentina will feel they can beat the Polish side and go through to the round of 16 - but even a point could be enough if Mexico and Saudi Arabia draw, or Mexico wins by less than four goals.
A Saudi Arabia win would guarantee they go through - it would come down to the result of Argentina - Poland to see who would take the other spot.
Lionel Messi gets it done for Argentina
By Andrew McGarry
Let's take a minute to reflect on Lionel Messi - and his brilliance.
He may be close to the end of his career - and this may be his last World Cup - but he is still carrying the pressure of leading Argentina and seeking a third World Cup triumph.
He has won everything else, but the biggest prize in football. For the first game and a half in this Cup, however, he has looked harried and under pressure - even though he scored Argentina's only goal against Saudi Arabia.
Tonight was a disaster in waiting for Argentina - if they had lost, the reaction in Buenos Aires and around the world would have been stunning.
The world expected - and tonight Messi delivered.
He scored a blinder with his first real chance, and then set up the sealer with another brilliant reading of the play.
What happens now? Who knows. But in case we needed reminding, as long as Argentina have Lionel Messi on the pitch, they are a chance of achieving just about anything.
Enzo Fernandez's brilliant sealer for Argentina
By Andrew McGarry
FT: Argentina back on track with a 2-0 win over Mexico!
By Andrew McGarry
That's it! The whistle goes, and it's disappointment for Mexico and joy for Argentina.
It was a nervy first hour for La Albiceleste, but once Lionel Messi thundered a shot into the corner of the net in the 64th minute, it was always going to be them.
Enzo Fernandez's late screamer made sure of the points, but it's done - Argentina are still alive in the World Cup, and it now comes down to the final match against Poland.
Added time in Argentina vs Mexico
By Andrew McGarry
There are six minutes of added time and we are nearly four in to that - Argentina and their fans don't care, they are waiting for the final whistle.
Mexico are trying to get a consolation goal, but they're going nowhere.
They have not been able to find a way through the Argentina defence, and we are playing out time here.
Enzo Fernandez makes it 2-0 for Argentina!
By Andrew McGarry
Oh my word, what a goal! Argentina have clinched it.
Lionel Messi got free on the left, he played it into the area for Enzo Fernandez, and after a jink and a move inside, he curled a BRILLIANT right-foot shot past Ochoa into the corner.
That was a fantastic finish - and it's finished the game!
Argentina have wrapped up the three points - unless Mexico has something very special up their sleeve.
Entering the last five minutes at Lusail Stadium
By Andrew McGarry
There have been a string of substitutes over the last little while. Mexico have taken off strikers Alexis Vega and Hirving Lozano for Uriel Antuna and Roberto Alvarado.
For the moment, however, there aren't a lot of opportunities for them to take advantage of.
There is only one goal between the sides, and one good counter could turn this game on its head, but for the moment it's La Albiceleste who are the ones in control.
We are about to enter the last five minutes (plus added time) - what do Mexico have in store?
Argentina still pushing forward at 1-0
By Andrew McGarry
We are well inside the last quarter hour at Lusail Stadium, and Argentina are not satisfied with a 1-0 lead.
They are pushing forward at all opportunities - Messi's goal has given them a big boost and they are running at the Mexican defence.
Speaking of the Argentinian number 10, he makes another break down the left and crosses it in, no one can get a touch on it, and it comes to nothing.
They're still coming forward and there is a free-kick on the right, as the Argentinian fans do the "I'm not worthy" bowing motions to Messi from the stands.
The free goes nowhere, but it's definitely advantage Argentina. Can they avoid a late slip-up here?
Messi's fine strike separates Argentina and Mexico
By Andrew McGarry
Another chance for Argentina!
By Andrew McGarry
The confidence is flowing again for Argentina, and Mexico have problems - they have to open up to try and get an equaliser, but that leaves them at risk of conceding more.
There's another move down the left for Argentina - the ball gets crossed in, and the newly-arrived Nahuel Molina blazes well over the bar from outside the box.
We've got less than 20 minutes left, though, and the momentum has totally shifted after the goal. What can Mexico do?
Lionel Messi does it for Argentina! They lead Mexico 1-0
By Andrew McGarry
Argentina are beginning to camp themselves in the Mexico half - this is more of what coach Lionel Scaloni would have wanted to see.
The final ball is still proving elusive, however.
Until now! Who else but Lionel Messi to break the deadlock.
Angel Di Maria centres it from the right, Messi gets it, has one touch and fires it into the corner of the net past Guillermo Ochoa.
That is a brilliant strike! The crowd roars as Messi leads the celebrations in the corner.
That changes the game - and perhaps the tournament - for Argentina.
Argentina starting to cause problems for Mexico
By Andrew McGarry
Okay, so the Argentinians are starting to show some more - they are trying to make headway down the right, with some success.
Angel di Maria gets wide and crosses it inside - it evades a few players and bobbles around before it is nervously cleared by the Mexican defence.
But it's a start for Argentina. They need more of this sort of attacking pressure.
There's a change for Argentina, with Guido Rodriguez replaced by Enzo Fernandez.
Mexican fans cheer their team against Argentina
By Andrew McGarry
Free-kick to Argentina
By Andrew McGarry
The second half is starting the same way for Argentina, with them giving the ball away.
But now there is a chance, as Lionel Messi goes forward, and gets bundled over by Erick Gutierrez.
He gets a yellow card, and Argentina get a free kick just outside the box. What can Messi do? The answer is ... not enough. His kick sails well over the bar.
Second half under way between Argentina and Mexico
By Andrew McGarry
Play is back on at Lusail, and the task is clear for Argentina - keep their composure and find better passes to unlock the Mexican defence.
Make no mistake, they need a goal this half - at least one - because if they go into the final game against Poland on one point, it will be a huge challenge for them to go through.
Meanwhile for Mexico, can they keep control of things and find a way to convert one of their breaks?
Martinez's save the key moment of the first half
By Andrew McGarry
HT: No goals yet between Argentina and Mexico
By Andrew McGarry
The five allotted minutes of added time pass without (much) incident - except for a shot from distance from Alexis Vega that flew into Row Z.
The last action sees Argentina threaten a rare entry into the box - Messi sends it wide to Rodrigo de Paul and his cross gets put out for a corner. Nothing happens (again) and the referee blows his whistle to end the first half.
Chances were at a premium at Lusail Stadium, and it wasn't the greatest first 45 in history - but the tension is already something else, God knows what it's going to be like as we get to the closing stages.
It's definitely advantage Mexico at this point - they have looked more dangerous on the break and have kept Messi quiet.
Argentina will be hoping that last attack will be the spark for more in the second period - they need to find something, or they will be facing a must-win game in the final match of the group against Poland.
First things first - they need to avoid conceding in this one and find a way to goal after the break.
