World Cup 2022 live updates: Messi sparks Argentina to 2-0 win over Mexico

Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez came through with clutch second-half goals to keep their country’s 2022 FIFA World Cup hopes alive Saturday, as Argentina bounced back from a shocking upset loss against Saudi Arabia to beat Mexico 2-0 at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

You can watch this game and every match of the tournament on the FOX Sports family of networks — the tournament’s official English-language broadcast partner in the U.S. — and the FOX Sports app and FOXSports.com. You can also stream full-match replays for free on Tubi.

Here are the top plays.

Argentina vs. Mexico

PREGAME

Setting the stage

After a 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Argentina enters Saturday’s matchup needing a win and looking to avoid losses in its opening two games at a World Cup for the first time in team history.

On the other side, Mexico is aiming to bounce back from a scoreless draw with Poland earlier this week.

Argentina’s fans send a message

Argentina’s hopes of getting Lionel Messi a World Cup win hinge on earning a victory against a tough Mexico side, and the blue-and-white clad fans at Lusail Stadium know it.

Anthems with passion

5′: Early physicality

Both Mexico and Argentina have had some early chances and are ratcheting up the intensity already.

13′: Mexico looks good and the fans are LOUD

El Tri had an early chance and is increasing the pressure on Argentina in front of maybe the most electric environment of the 2022 World Cup thus far. 

16′: Refs don’t bite on the Otamendi flop 

Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi is trying everything to get an advantage over Mexico.

22′: Yellow card against Mexico

28′: Argentina’s turn for a key foul

The referees get Marcos Acuna for cleating Kevin Alvarez.

34′: WORLD. CUP. MEMO.

A HUGE save — what else is new? — by Memo Ochoa on a Lionel Messi free kick keeps things scoreless.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi on the brink of his first goal of the match, punched away by Ochoa

Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa punches the shot off after a close opportunity for Lionel Messi Argentina.

42′: Guitérrez in for Guardado

Key sub for Mexico late in the first half.

45′: HUGE save for Martinez!

Alexis Vega‘s free kick is saved by an incredible full-extension effort from Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez to keep El Tri off the board.

Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez makes INCREDIBLE save

Mexico’s Alexis Vega fires off a great shot after winning a free kick and Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez makes a spectacular diving save.

64′: MESSI DELIVERS

Argentina needs a goal and a win to stay alive in Lionel Messi’s possibly final World Cup. The superstar delivered the first one of those with a beautiful and possibly legacy-defining strike when his country needed him most.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi scores goal vs. Mexico in 64′

Watch Argentina’s Lionel Messi scoring a goal against Mexico in the 64′ in the 2022 Men’s FIFA World Cup.

Fans react to Messi’s goal!

Messi has kept Argentina’s World Cup hopes alive and sent its fans into a frenzy.

87′: DOS A CERO

Argentina gets a crucial insurance goal to move +1 in goal differential in the 2022 World Cup, courtesy of a beautiful ball curled past Ochoa by Enzo Fernandez.

Argentina’s Enzo Fernández scores goal vs. Mexico in 87′

Watch Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez scoring a goal against Mexico in the 87′ in the 2022 Men’s FIFA World Cup.

Stay tuned for updates!

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