The Argentina captain agreed to a contract that runs until December 2025 with an option for another season…reports Asian Lite News
Inter Miami have completed the signing of Lionel Messi and will unveil the Argentine great to fans and the media on Sunday.
A video of the 36-year-old wearing the club’s No. 10 shirt was posted on Inter’s social media accounts on Saturday.
The club later confirmed that his arrival on a free transfer had been ratified by Major League Soccer officials.
The Argentina captain agreed to a contract that runs until December 2025 with an option for another season, a Xinhua report said.
His official presentation will take place at the DRV PNK stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in an event starting at 8 p.m. local time on Sunday.
“I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” Messi said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity and together we will continue to build this beautiful project. The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I’m very eager to start helping here in my new home.”
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will make his debut for Inter Miami in a Leagues Cup match against Mexico’s Cruz Azul on July 21.
In June, Messi announced he was leaving PSG to join the Florida outfit, which is partly owned by former England captain David Beckham.
The forward has since said that he is looking forward to enjoying the last stage of his career, having achieved his ultimate goal of winning the FIFA World Cup for Argentina in Qatar last December.
The Adidas Golden Boot was won by Kylian Mbappe, with 8 goals and 2 assists. Lionel Messi collected the Silver Boot and Olivier Giroud from France the Bronze…reports Asian Lite News
After a thrilling final saw Argentina beat France on penalties, the awards for the 2022 World Cup were also announced with some of the biggest names in football were recognized, with Lionel Messi from Argentina was confirmed as the best player at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The Argentinian forward won the Adidas Golden Ball, which is awarded to the best player by the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG).
Kylian Mbappe from France and Luka Modric from Croatia came second and third respectively.
Golden Ball — Lionel Messi (Argentina)
This was Messi’s World Cup — and that was rubber-stamped as he was named the player of the tournament.
The 35-year-old finally got his hands on football’s biggest prize, scoring seven goals enroute to hoisting the trophy high into the Qatar night.
He became the first man to score in the last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of the same edition and wins the individual accolade for a second time.
The Adidas Golden Boot was won by Kylian Mbappe, with 8 goals and 2 assists. Lionel Messi collected the Silver Boot and Olivier Giroud from France the Bronze.
Emiliano Martinez from Argentina collected the Adidas Golden Glove while England took the FIFA Fair Play award
Golden Boot — Kylian Mbappe (France)
The France forward was level with Messi on five goals heading into the showdown in Lusail. He would go on to become the first man since Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, tucking away two penalties and hitting a fine finish which took the game to extra-time.
It was not enough for France to retain the trophy but, with eight goals across the finals, he matched Ronaldo’s total from 2002 and, at the age of 23, there could still be plenty more to come from Mbappe.
Young Player award — Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)
There were plenty of contenders for the best young player in Qatar. Jude Bellingham would have been in the running had England not been eliminated in the quarter-finals while France’s Aurelien Tchouameni was another candidate.
Fernandez, though, was superb throughout the finals, a tenacious and determined midfielder who is also good in possession and a driving force in Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina at the tender age of 21.
Golden Glove — Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)
The Aston Villa goalkeeper provided heroics in penalty shoot-out victories for Argentina against both Netherlands, where he saved two, and against France in the final where he kept out Kingsley Coman’s effort to give his side the upper hand.
His presence was also obvious for all to see and his stunning one-on-one stop from Randal Kolo Muani prevented France securing a dramatic late win.
Fair Play award — England
England did not leave Qatar empty-handed after all.
Gareth Southgate’s side went the entire group stage without picking up as much as a booking and extended that run as they beat Senegal 3-0 in the last 16.
It was only in their quarter-final defeat to France where they troubled the referee’s notebook as Manchester United captain Harry Maguire was cautioned in the closing stages with England chasing the game.
Messi or Mbappe? Bars, pubs all set for grand finale as football fever hits a crescendo
Yadav told that Kasa Kai Mumbai organises interest-based gatherings ranging from football to Formula 1, among others…reports Asian Lite News
The big screens are set, the chairs are aligned and the beers are ready to flow as bars and pubs in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai gear up for the mother of clashes when Lionel Messi’s Argentina take on defending champions France in the final of the FIFA World Cup in Doha on Sunday night.
Football fever is all set to hit a crescendo on Sunday when people from across the globe will have their eyes glued to their television screens to see whether Messi has the last hurrah, or Kylian Mbappe spoils his swan song in World Cup by helping France become only the second country after Brazil to defend the coveted title.
Celebrities from different corners of the world have already reached Doha to be a part of history. The night will also see Shah Rukh Khan and Nora Fatehi participate in the closing ceremony.
The pubs in India are also decked up to make the most of the memorable night, as they prepare to welcome football fanatics with great fervour and stadium-like atmosphere.
Rahul Yadav and his team from Kasa Kai Mumbai, an event management company, are putting up big screens in Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Hyderabad, among many other places.
Yadav told that Kasa Kai Mumbai organises interest-based gatherings ranging from football to Formula 1, among others.
In Mumbai, they have put up screens at bars and pubs in as many as eight places, including at Kamala Mills, Andheri East, Khar and Borivali.
“This is what people want. They want to experience a stadium-like atmosphere. All the venues are sold out. It’s like an adrenaline rush as you get a stadium-like feeling sitting thousands of miles away,” he said.
In Gurugram, the newly-launched Orale Skybar has made special arrangements for football fans.
Hemant Nautiyal, owner of Orale Skybar, told: “We are screening the match live on giant screens. We are also encouraging people to come wearing the jersey of their favourite team. The first drink will be on the house.”
Prathi Tandon, Owner of Effingut, a BrewPub, agrees that “sports brings everyone together to celebrate and enjoy”.
Tandon said: “Even when supporters of two teams come together, they engage with each other, be it in the same group or different groups coming to the outlet. We want people to enjoy and have a good experience.”
From beer on tap to ‘2+1’ offers for three whiskey brands, BrePub is all set to make the final special for its patrons.
Local in Noida and Junkyard Cafe in Connaught Place too are decked up to ensure that their patrons make the most of Super Sunday. Both the joints are decorating their interiors with team flags and miniature footballs.
They will also offer special deals on beer buckets with complimentary popcorn bowls.
“Football matches are a great way of bringing people together, which definitely gives much more visibility and mileage to our restaurants. Also, beer combos and great food make our venue a one-stop destination,” said Umang Tewari from Big Fish Ventures.
Messi has made a record 18 appearances as captain in the World Cup. He is followed by Rafa Marquez (17) and Diego Maradona (16)…reports Asian Lite News
While leading Argentina to the final of the FIFA World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Croatia, Lionel Messi has inched a step closer to fulfilling his biggest dream — adding the World Cup crown to the dozens of titles he has won in club cricket.
The 35-year-old scored a goal in the match through a penalty, which is his fifth in Qatar 2022.
In the process of taking Argentina to the final, Messi set many records and also set himself up for bettering more marks in international football and FIFA World Cup when Argentina take on the winner of the second semifinal between France and Morocco.
Messi is one of only six men to have played in five World Cups alongside Antonio Carbajal, Lothar Matthaus, Rafa Marquez, Andres Guardado and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to a report on fifa.com website.
He now shares the record with German World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthaus for the most World Cup appearances — 25. He will overtake Matthaus if he plays the final on Sunday.
Messi has made a record 18 appearances as captain in the World Cup. He is followed by Rafa Marquez (17) and Diego Maradona (16).
He is the only player to register an assist in five World Cup editions. His closest challengers are Pele, Grzegorz Lato, Diego Maradona and David Beckham, who set up goals in three editions apiece.
Pele and Messi share the record for the most assists in the knockout phase (6).
Messi is Argentina’s leading marksman in the World Cup with 11 goals. He is followed by Gabriel Batistuta (10), Diego Maradona (8), Guillermo Stabile (8), Mario Kempes (6) and Gonzalo Higuain (5).
Paolo Maldini has played the most minutes in World Cup history: 2,217. Messi is on 2,194 and could surpass the Italian in the Qatar 2022 final.
Messi is the only player to score in the World Cup in his teens, 20s and 30s. Pele missed out on accomplishing the same by four months.
Messi scored his first and latest World Cup goals 16 years and 180 days apart. The next biggest span in World Cup history belongs to Cristiano Ronaldo at 16 years and 160 days.
Batistuta only needed 12 games to reach his tally, while Messi was making his 25th World Cup appearance on Tuesday – that saw him equal Lothar Matthaus’ all-time record of 25 at the tournament…reports Armstrong Vaz
Lionel Messi kept his World Cup dream on track as he scored one and set up another as Argentina romped home into the final of the FIFA World Cup with an emphatic 3-0 win over 2018 finalists Croatia at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night.
At the end of half time La Albiceleste led 2-0 as Messi converted a spot kick in the 34th minute to give them the lead and Julian Alvarez struck with a sublime solo effort to give the South American side a comfortable 2-0 lead going into the half time break.
Argentina kept the scoring tempo to add a third one in the 69th minute with Alvarez netting his second of the match.
The Argentina captain, who will be playing his second World Cup final on Sunday, having finished as runner-up in the 2014 final to Germany, will be keen to hold aloft the trophy on December 18 at the Lusail Stadium.
The 35-year-old and his teammates will await the winner of Wednesday’s second semi-final between defending champions France and rank outsiders Morocco to see whom they will take on in the title clash.
The PSG striker’s fifth goal in Qatar took him to 11 World Cup overtaking Gabriel Batistuta in the process and making him the all-time top scorer for Argentina.
France’s Kylian Mbappe too has scored five goals and both of them will be in the race for the Golden Boot award.
Batistuta only needed 12 games to reach his tally, while Messi was making his 25th World Cup appearance on Tuesday – that saw him equal Lothar Matthaus’ all-time record of 25 at the tournament.
Nevertheless, Messi’s strike highlights the Argentina star’s remarkable longevity, playing his fifth World Cup. His first World Cup goal came in 2006 against Serbia and Montenegro. At 18 years and 357 days, it made him Argentina’s youngest ever scorer in the competition.
Coach Lionel Scaloni made two changes to the team that featured from the off against the Netherlands.
With Marcos Acuna suspended, Nicolas Tagliafico was selected at left-back, while Leandro Paredes came into the midfield with defender Lisandro Martinez dropping out.
Zlatko Dalic, meanwhile, stuck with the side that started against Brazil on Friday. Luka Modric became only the fourth player aged 37 or over to start six matches at a World Cup, after Brazil’s Nilton Santos in 1962, Italy’s Dino Zoff in 1982 and England’s Peter Shilton in 1990.
Croatia were fully in control in the opening 25 minutes or so with Argentina not being able to make any telling breakthroughs, but once Argentina were awarded their penalty they did not look back as the momentum shifted quickly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_lkJ50dQHk
Croatia dominated the ball, controlling more than 60 percent of possession. Still, they managed to do precious little with it, failing to register a single shot on target. Argentina were ready to sit back and battle as Croatia advanced up the field.
Messi scored the opening goal of the game against Croatia 11 minutes before half-time, blasting into the top-right corner from the penalty spot after Alvarez was fouled by Dominik Livakovic.
After Ivan Perisic failed to catch Emiliano Martinez off the line at the other end, the counter was sprung and Alvarez was soon one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The goalie had no choice but to bring down the striker after he tried to find the back of the net, 1-0.
Alvarez’s first goal of the evening had shades of Diego Mardonna’s greatest goal of the 1986 World Cup against England where he waved past a host of defenders from his own half to score one of the best individual goal of the Word Cup.
The young striker scores a goal of some quality as a failed Croatia corner leads to an Argentinian break. The break soon finds Alvarez, who picks up the ball just past the halfway line and sets off on a run with a couple of Croatian defenders on him. As he gets closer to the box, he is almost dispossessed not once, but twice, before he pokes the ball past Livakovic to send the Argentina fans into delirium, 2-0.
In the second half, Argentina continued to hold the fort down on their end, despite numerous Croatia advances. However, if there is any space afforded then Argentina were quick to act, and added to their advantage with a third goal.
For Argentina’s third goal Messi put in a masterclass as he rushed down near the right touchline, with Josko Gvardiol hot on his heels and after making his way to the penalty box, and as he neared the near post on the right side, he saw Alvarez slightly open. The number 10 slips in a quick pass and Alvarez was able to slot it past the right of the keeper to put Argentina one step closer to the final, 3-0.
Messi praises Argentina coaching staff
Lionel Messi hailed Argentina’s coaching staff for masterminding his team’s 3-0 victory over Croatia in their FIFA World Cup semifinal here on Wednesday.
Messi scored from the penalty spot and gave the assist for Julian Alvarez’s second goal as Argentina set up a berth in Sunday’s final against either Morocco or defending champions France, Xinhua news agency reported.
“This group is very intelligent and knows how to suffer both with and without the ball,” Messi told reporters. “Our coaching staff is great, they pay attention to every little thing.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni reverted to a 4-4-2 formation after adopting a 5-3-2 shape for the quarterfinal against the Netherlands, which the Albiceleste won on penalties.
The change allowed Argentina to thwart Croatia’s threat in midfield. While the 2018 runners-up controlled a 61% share of possession, they were suffocated for space and, when dispossessed, left large gaps for Argentina to exploit.
“They let us know about every detail and that helps us to know what to do in all situations,” Messi said.
“We know the game would be played that way. We knew they would have a lot of possession. But we also knew that it would play to our advantage because they were a little untidy and left us with lots of space.”
Messi’s strike saw him surpass Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s leading World Cup scorer with 11 goals.
In this tournament, he has five goals and three assists as he vies for the Golden Boot award with France’s Kylian Mbappe, who has five goals and two assists.
“I’m feeling well and strong in every match,” Messi said. “Personally, I’ve felt happy at this World Cup and thankfully, I’ve been able to help the team.”
Messi said Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in the opening match served as a wake-up call to the team.
“It was a big blow,” the Paris Saint-Germain forward said. “We had a 36-game unbeaten run and nobody thought we’d lose that match. It was an acid test and since then we’ve played five finals. Thankfully we’ve been able to win all five. Losing that first game actually helped us to grow.”
FIFA World Cup: Messi will continue to appear for Argentina much after Qatar 2022, hopes coach Scaloni
Croatia will be looking to become the first back-to-back finalists since Brazil in 2002…reports Asian Lite News
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni is pinning hopes that Lionel Messi will continue to play for Argentina much after the FIFA World Cup is over.
The Argentinian superstar had announced at the start of the tournament that he will retire from international football after Qatar World Cup but Scaloni feels there will be a change of heart and he will continue.
“We will hope he continues playing. Let’s see if he does. We will keep enjoying him, that’s important for us and for the world of foo”ball.”
Scaloni’s side faces Croatia in the first World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, after overcoming the Netherlands on penalties. The Copa America champions led 2-0 at Lusail Stadium yet were pegged back to a 2-2 draw by Wout Weghorst’s double.
“I know Messi and he was always like that, he was always a winner and he has pride and a big desire to continue playing football that makes us happy. And also because the first year was difficult in terms of adaptation and now, from what they explain to me, their life in Paris is perfect. The children are happy, he and his family, his wife too,” Scaloni added.
The Argentina captain is eyeing his second World Cup final after his team lost to Germany in 2014 and the only major title missing from his collection, which includes every big club and the national team title.
Croatia will be looking to become the first back-to-back finalists since Brazil in 2002
Scaloni said both Angel Di Maria and Rodrigo De Paul would be fit and the absence of the suspended Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel would not be a problem.
“We have our own system, our style. Of course, in certain situations we need to take into account how the opponents are playing,” Scaloni said.
“We won’t change our style beyond the system and that’s what we’re going to do. During the game, we will of course make decisions (based on situations) and rise to the challenge.”
He then looked ahead to the semifinal against Croatia, who also beat Brazil in a dramatic penalty shootout…reports Asian Lite News
Lionel Messi admitted his side had suffered to qualify for the semifinals of the World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout against the Netherlands.
“We are really happy, we suffered too much, but it’s a quarterfinal in the World Cup, and we suffered what we had to suffer to qualify,” said Messi.
Messi was the man of the match after setting up Nahuel Molina for the opening goal and then scoring Argentina’s second from the penalty spot with just 17 minutes left to play, reports Xinhua.
The game appeared to be over before a late Dutch fightback saw Wout Weghorst score in the 83rd and 10th minute of injury time to take it to extra time and penalties.
“We are taking it game after game with the same intensity and same desire. We want to be protagonists. We are really excited and really want to win and we need this joy for us and for everyone who supports us,” he said.
The striker expressed his frustration at the second equaliser for the Netherlands, saying that Spanish referee, Mateu Lahoz had added on too much injury time.
“I felt really angry at the late goal. I don’t want to talk about the referee, because you can get a suspension, but people saw what happened. FIFA have to look at that. They can’t put in a referee who isn’t up to the job at this stage,” he said.
However, Messi said that he had confidence his side would qualify.
“We knew we had an advantage with Emiliano (Martinez),” he said.
He then looked ahead to the semifinal against Croatia, who also beat Brazil in a dramatic penalty shootout.
“Croatia will be really hard. They were better than Brazil at times and move the ball really well. They are working with the same coach (Zlatko Dalic) as 2018 and it will be really hard.
“I’ve said all World Cup, we are enjoying this, the fans, and taking it step by step.
“I am very happy,” he concluded.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who saved two penalties in the shootout, said: “I am very excited. We played for 45 million people. The people are not having a good time economically and we are giving them some joy.”
“I couldn’t make the saves in 90 minutes, but luckily I was able to do so in the penalties. I saved two and could have saved a third.
Argentina have also seen good displays from midfielder Enzo Fernandez and young forward Julian Alvarez, who has scored in his last two appearances, reports…Asian Lite News
The Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk has warned that his side will have to beat more than just Lionel Messi when they take on Argentina in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday night.
The Netherlands have progressed calmly into the quarterfinals after beating the United States with an assured and serious display in the last 16, while Argentina were led by an excellent display from Messi against Australia.
Messi was inspirational in what is likely to be his last World Cup appearance, but Van Dijk advised there is more to Argentina.
“Messi is one of the best players. Together with Cristiano Ronaldo, he is one of the best players of the last decades. There is only respect for what he has achieved. But now we are preparing not only to play against him but to face Argentina as a whole,” he told the press two days before the game.
Argentina have also seen good displays from midfielder Enzo Fernandez and young forward Julian Alvarez, who has scored in his last two appearances, reports Xinhua.
“Argentina has many good footballers who can make a difference. They are players we must watch. That’s what we’re going to do. This is not a Holland against Messi, but a Holland against Argentina,” Van Dijk insisted.
The Dutch have been very effective so far in Qatar and are one of four unbeaten sides in the tournament. After topping Group A and beating the U.S., Coach Louis van Gaal said they can win the tournament and Van Dijk believes they have more to give.
“We are all perfectionists and we all want the best. That is part of us. The good thing is that we are still on it. We are in the quarterfinals. Hopefully we can win those too and move on,” he said, adding that although he and his teammates had practiced penalties, it was very different taking them on a training pitch [from] that in a “stadium full of 80,000 spectators and with a semifinal on the line.”
‘Impressive team’
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has described Brazil as the most impressive team at this World Cup ahead of their quarterfinal clash on Friday.
Croatia advanced to the last eight by beating Japan on penalties in the round of 16 while Brazil progressed with a 4-1 rout of South Korea.
“I believe Brazil are the best team at this World Cup,” Dalic was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. “They play a very versatile brand of football. They are dangerous, and not just because of Neymar and Vinicius Junior. It’s all of them.”
“We can’t afford to leave them too much space. We have to press them high and ensure they don’t control the ball too much. We have to be fully concentrated because if they have time on the ball it will be difficult to stop them.”
Dalic was confident his players would be fresh for the match at Education City stadium here, despite having had just four days to recover from the gruelling duel against Japan.
“We can’t wait for this match,” he said. “We have to recover after the Japan game and there will not be many changes. We’ve done very well to make it this far. We now face one of the great favorites and we’ll fight to make sure we can get the best possible result.”
The 56-year-old added: “I think the match ahead will be the most demanding of the World Cup for us. I can compare it to the final against France four years ago.
“Brazil will pose a big challenge. I wish this match could have come later in the tournament. But our ambitions will not rest there and we’ll be trying our best to win.”
Messi put Argentina into the lead in the 35th minute while Julian Alvarez made it 2-0 in the 57th minute….reports Asian Lite News
Argentina survived some anxious moments against Australia to register a fighting 2-1 win over and move into the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
At the Ahmed Bin Ali on Saturday, Argentina were able to withstand some last minute Australian attacks to move into the quarter-finals.
Australia step up pressure in the last ten minutes of normal time and in injury stoppage time but Argentina survive some key moments to keep their citadel intact and advance into the last eight stage.
Argentina went into the half time break with a 1-0 lead.
Messi put Argentina into the lead in the 35th minute while Julian Alvarez made it 2-0 in the 57th minute.
Australia pulled one back in the 77th minute through a own goal which went of a deflection in the Argentina goal if a left footed effort from Aaron Mody.
✨ Messi magic against the Aussies ⚡ Dumfries shines for the Dutch
The goal came of a setpiece situation. Messi who took control of the free kick bent his left footed try deep which was cleared by defense. The ball did not go far and came back to Messi via two colleagues.
Nicolas Otamendi squaring the ball for Messi inside the box with the striker unleashing a perfect grounded pushing the ball past two Australian defenders and the keeper to make it 1-0 with ten minutes to for the first half whistle.
The second goal for Argentina happened to be a big blunder from Australian keeper Mathew Ryan who made a mess of the backpass.
With two strikers in hot pursuit Ryan preferred to dribble his way but lost control and Alvarez pouncing on the loose ball to send the ball to the back of the nets.
Australia which came with the ocassional move kept themselves in the match with a goal 13 minutes from the final whistle.
Mody left footed drive directed goalwards found Fernandez on the way as it deflected of the Argentina striker and caught Argentina goalkeeper on the wrong and ended in the back of the nets.
Argentina will now take on The Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
With USA and Australia elimination and with The Netherlands and Argentina qualification to the quarters, the other teams which will vie for a place in the quarter finals are: Switzerland, South Korea, Japan, Spain, Morocco, Croatia, Poland, Portugal, Brazil, England, France, Senegal and Switzerland.
Pic credits IANS
‘One step closer to our objective’
Lionel Messi said Argentina had taken “one more step” toward their goal of World Cup glory by overcoming Australia in a dramatic round of 16 clash here on Saturday.
Messi sent Argentina on course for victory with a first-half strike, and Julian Alvarez doubled the lead before Craig Goodwin’s shot deflected in off Enzo Fernandez, ensuring a dramatic conclusion at Ahmad bin Ali stadium, Xinhua news agency reported.
Messi’s goal, which came in his 1000th game for club and country, marked the first time he has scored in a World Cup knockout match.
“One more target has been reached. We are one step closer to our objective,” Messi told a news conference.
“It was a tough game, we knew it was going to be like that. We didn’t have much time to rest and we were worried about that. We knew it was going to be a tough game. They are physically very strong. We were able to get the advantage and then it got complicated. We suffered a bit at the end but it’s the World Cup. All games are difficult.”
Messi paid tribute to the tens of thousands of Argentine fans at the stadium, many of whom sang and chanted throughout the 90 minutes. Argentina’s players made a point of applauding them on the pitch after the final whistle.
“It was beautiful to be with them,” the 35-year-old forward said. “I think all of Argentina would like to be here, but obviously that can’t happen.
“We are always thrilled to play in front of these fans and it’s great to have their support every match, to feel their joy and passion.”
Dider Deschamps side aiming to retain the trophy will aim to continue their strong start to the tournament in the hope of reaching the quarter-finals…reports Asian Lite News
Lionel Messi missed a controversial first-half penalty for Argentina against Poland but his side recovered in time to register a 2-0 win, their second successive one and move into the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup as Group C winners.
On Wednesday night at the 974 Stadium, one goal apiece from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez helped two-time champions Argentina to collect full points.
La Albiceleste scored both the goals in the second half to finish with six points, having started their campaign with a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in the Group C opener.
Argentina as group winners will take on Australia, which finished second in Group D. Poland with one win against Saudi Arabia and one loss, finished second behind the group leaders and also qualified for the last 16 stage and will take on defending champions France, which despite their 1-0 loss to Tunisia finished as group winners.
Dider Deschamps side aiming to retain the trophy will aim to continue their strong start to the tournament in the hope of reaching the quarter-finals.
Argentina and Poland join Australia, Portugal, Brazil, England, France, the Netherlands, Senegal and USA, making it ten teams making it to the last 16 stage with another six set to join the qualified teams in the next stage of the tournament.
Argentina were the dominant team in the first session in which Messi struck two shots on target in the opening ten minutes as Argentina battered at the door of Poland.
They continued to rack up shots through the first half, including a stunning attempt from Rodrigo de Paul from the corner flag.
Julian Alvarez – replacing Lautaro Martinez in the starting line-up – also had a shot blocked from close range in the 36th minute.
Then controversy struck when Messi was awarded a penalty after a VAR review. Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny had attempted to punch away an Argentina cross but missed, and his hand struck the head of Messi at the back post. Messi had already headed the ball wide of the upright.
But, in a stunning twist, Szczesny saved Messi’s penalty with a brilliant diving block – his second penalty save of the tournament.
Argentina, playing their best football of the tournament, which will please Lionel Scaloni ahead of the round of 16, overcame the penalty save with two goals in the second session.
Argentina went into the lead 60 seconds after the restart with a goal by the Brighton midfielder Mac Allister. Molina got to the touch line and cut the ball back where Mac Allister was waiting – the 23-year-old didn’t make a clean connection as he swept it with his right foot, but the direction was perfect and just kissed the far post after passing Szczesny.
The second goal had been coming. It was a brilliant finish from Alvarez. Enzo Fernandez drives at the defence and finds Alvaraz, who takes a touch, swivels and blasts a rocket into the top corner. A brilliant, instinctive finish from the Manchester city man in the 67th minute to confirm Argentina as group winners.
