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Messi and Argentina were aware, amid the commotion at Lusail Stadium, that a defeat would end their chances of reaching the last 16 after only two games after their shocking loss to Saudi Arabia in their opener.
Mexico's frustration with Messi in an attritional game was building tension, especially in the first half, when Argentina never gained any momentum thanks to a slew of fouls and stoppages.
All of that changed after 64 minutes when Messi took one touch to control a pass with his left foot and then shot straight into the bottom corner from 20 yards out, past Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
As Argentina's World Cup campaign got back on track, their 88,966 supporters went wild in relief and celebration.
Enzo Fernandez added a wonderful second with a twisting shot into the top corner a short ways from time yet it was Messi who had the leap forward and the effect.
Again, Messi pulls off the magic. For the first half of this crucial game, Messi played a frustrated figure as he was pushed to the sidelines and the game descended into a sloppy affair marred by fouls and lacking in quality.
Messi was finally able to exert his influence when the game settled down, the stoppages decreased, and a football match started. He wandered the vast Lusail Stadium before making the decisive contribution.
With that decisive goal, Messi turned up the volume even more in an ear-splitting atmosphere, breaking down Mexico and reviving Argentina's World Cup bid.
With his wand-like left foot, Messi produced two flawless touches, one for control and the other to arrow a finish past Ochoa's outstretched left hand.
It was what everyone in Argentina wanted and expected from their great talisman, and the 35-year-old showed up when they needed him most, as he has in the past for club and country.
This highly regarded team was in serious jeopardy. Argentina was aware that defeat would end their time in Qatar. Messi was aware that losing would put an end to his desire to win the World Cup, the most important award on his glittering and extensive list.
He followed Kylian Mbappe, another superstar whose two goals against Denmark advanced France to the round of 16; he demonstrated here that he is determined not to be outdone by the other elite players.
Mexico, supported by their own hordes of fans, were unwilling to step aside, and it took that significant moment to free them, bowing to Messi as many others have done in the past.
Argentina will face Group C leaders Poland, who have a sporting icon of their own in striker Robert Lewandowski. However, the celebrations at the final whistle gave the impression that a team that was tipped to win the World Cup at the same Lusail Stadium believes their show is now on the road thanks to their captain and resident genius. There is still work to be done for Argentina against Poland, who have a sporting icon of their own.
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Football