Lionel Messi helped save his country from World Cup embarrassment as France became the first team to reach the knockout stage.
Messi scored the first goal in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Mexico, with substitute Enzo Fernandez settling a bad-tempered clash against Mexico at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
After losing to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday – in one of the biggest World Cup shocks ever – Argentina knew a second defeat would have booted them out of the tournament.
Poland had earlier beaten Saudi Arabia 2-0, adding to the pressure.
But Messi, 35, playing in his fifth and probably final World Cup, got his team off the mark with a long-range strike 19 minutes into the second half.
Fernandez put the result beyond doubt with a curling shot three minutes from the end of normal time.
To be sure of going through, however, Argentina still need a win in their final group game against Poland on Wednesday.
