Argentina vs. Mexico LIVE: Messi scores to put Scaloni’s side ahead in the second half

As he so often does, Messi roamed in search of an opening. Tata Martino changed tactics to clog the middle of the pitch: three centre-backs, three midfielders. All it takes is one tap for him to slot an inch-perfect shot between Memo Ochoa’s covered angle and the post.

It just had to be Messi.

For a few minutes. An Argentinian colleague next to me in the press box was quite composed at first. Then he lost it. For a moment I checked to see if I had bought an audio book called How to Swear in South America. He is now banging on the desk and singing songs after that Messi goal

Messi didn’t have a great game but his touch there to set himself up was perfect, maybe the contact on the ball wasn’t 100% true but the direction was perfect and Ochoa had no chance.

63 minutes: Scratch all that!

Di Maria pass finds Messi in space 25 yards and he darts a low shot straight into the corner, out of reach of Ochoa.

Messi had been bottled up pretty well by Mexico, but it was quality.

Argentina also know they can’t take too many risks – Scaloni is unlikely to start throwing on more forwards as if they’re leaving holes at the back, and conceded a Mexico counterattack will see them out of the tournament.

Some subs are coming though… Julian Alvarez among them, will he replace Lautaro?

An hour on and Mexico are still looking remarkably comfortable – and as if they would draw 0-0, confident they can beat the Saudis in their final game to advance.

Messi continues to drop deeper and deeper to get the ball off the CBs and start moves, which continue to fizz long before closing in on the Ochoa goal.

55 mins: Di Maria comes down the side of the Mexico defense and his blistering cross causes havoc, but the oncoming Mac Allister just doesn’t make contact and the ball is hacked clear.

Better from Argentina, perhaps, as it really doesn’t look like Messi is going to open up Mexico on his own.

“MESSI! MESSI! MESSI!” Let’s just say more was expected from Messi’s free kick. The audience was ready for it. Messi is the best in the world from that range. Too bad it flew over

50 minutes: Free kick position 20 meters away, and just to the right of D, could not have been better for Messi.

He takes a deep breath, wipes sweat from his forehead and cuts the ball a meter over the crossbar.

Messi gets to run for the first time tonight, nice flick from Mac Allister and Messi is off, Gutierrez finally drags him down 20 yards, earning a yellow card.

Per Rodolfo Landeros of Fox Sports, Andres Guardado had his right quad iced when he sat on the bench after his first-half substitution.

There are no changes at the break, perhaps surprisingly, although presumably Argentina coach Scaloni will be thinking about subs soon if the form doesn’t change.

Argentina with a lot of possession, but very little cutting edge in that half. Messi’s free kick that Ochoa knocked away, Lautaro’s header that always flew over, and very little else…

Messi has been very well bottled up by the Mexican midfield and no one else is really helping him.

Even more worryingly, this sort of performance is fairly typical of Argentina at World Cups of late…

Outstanding performance in the first half, perhaps from the Italian referee Daniele Orsato – who has only shown two yellows, and generally tried to let the game flow, although both teams have thrown themselves into challenges.

Perhaps the most controversial moment was when he could have shown a straight red to Mexico’s Nestor Araujo when he lunged at Argentina LB Acuna.

47-year-old Orsato grew up wanting to be an electrician, but has ended up as one of Europe’s top referees – taking charge of the 2020 Champions League final between PSG and Bayern Munich. He has been a FIFA official since 2010, was involved in VAR at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and whistled the 2022 opener between Qatar and Ecuador.

Both teams seem to be playing with the handbrake on, especially Argentina.

Both know that a draw at least keeps them in the competition and they can then secure progress with wins in their final matches.

HT – Argentina 0-0 Mexico

Lots of nerves, but little football so far. Mexico will be happier, with the game played in their rhythm so far and Messi not getting started at all.

Neither goalkeeper has really been tested, Ochoa flicking a free-kick from Messi into the air, and Martinez making a spectacular but simple save from a Vega free-kick.