FIFA World Cup : Argentina vs Mexico

 In one of the most competitive games of the tournament till now, Argentina clashed with Mexico in a must win situation. With so much at stake, it became a feisty, fiercely fought game, that had very few clear chances, but the ball travelled at both ends at an emphatic pace.  

Both teams struggled for form & flow initially, though intensity was at a premium in the first half. Too many fouls & too less snipes at the goal, there was fierce competition for possession in the park. It still left a lot to be desired, as the half time whistle blew, with crowd dreading a dull draw ahead. 

Around the one hour mark, Messi finally found his golden touch & his low curling left footed shot, a fair distance from out of the box went zooming past the outstretched hands of veteran Mexican keeper Ochoa to settle in the left corner of the net, to give the Albiceleste the lead & the much needed injection to their flowing game. The dogged Mexican defense was breached & there was relief & belief coming back into the men in blue white stripes, as Messi wiped away tears of joy, waving at the fans.  It was divine intervention of sorts. Mexico were not cowered down & went all out for an equaliser, but lacked finishing touches & the determined Argentinian defenders held bay with great success. Around the closing stages, Fernandez collected the ball from Messi at the left, after a short corner & after taking a couple of steps with ball towards the box, unleashed a brilliant curling shot that surprised everyone & whizzed past a desperate flying Ochoa to nest into the top corner of the net. Am amazing effort that had the stadium erupt in joy, & Argentina had secured a neat 2-0 win. The dying minutes & added time was a see saw frenzy of attack & defense, but finally it was the Albiceleste holding on to a memorable win & keeping the dream's alive for the World Cup. Hesitation & self doubt had been firmly replaced with conviction & intent. 

This was Messi's 6th consecutive match donning National stripes to score a goal & 8th in total, equaling Diego Maradona, as they climb back to 2nd position in the group, behind Poland. Both team would meet next to determine passage to next stage. Mexico will take on Saudi Arabia, with a slim chance of making ahead. An interesting next week ahead to look forward to.