World Cup 2022: 'Where there is Lionel Messi, there is hope for Argentina'

Argentina's vast support gathered in their thousands at Energy City next to the Lusail Stadium with only one man in mind as they faced World Cup jeopardy.

Lionel Messi has carried the hopes of this football-mad nation for most of his career but there was an added layer of tension as Argentina confronted old rivals Mexico.

After losing to Saudi Arabia in the opening game of the World Cup, Argentina knew defeat would be their final game. It would be out of reach for Messi to get the major honor that has been missing in his career.

Messi was once again shouldering the burden of Argentina's expectations, and once again he delivered by pulling out a piece of trademark magic when they needed it most to change the course of the game.

64 minutes was the clock's showing. The pressure valve on Argentina was turned on by every second that passed. Any Argentina failure on this stage can be seen as Messi's failure.

As Mexico fell victim to the left foot that has broken the hearts of so many opponents, he took centre stage to devastating effect.

The pass was killed by one touch. The second touch arrowed a low finish into the bottom corner.

Messi ran towards the Argentina's fans with his arms outstretched as the noise from the fans exploded. The team-mates who knew the man they rely on most were engulfed by his relief and release.

When the crowd of players had left, Messi stood in front of the supporters and pumped his arms in joy. He was aware of what it meant to them. They know what it means to him. The two people had mutual ecstasy.

It shouldn't be a surprise that Messi produced again.

It had not been an easy night for Messi against Mexico, who clearly enjoyed the idea of putting the skids under Argentina, who are heavily tipped to win the World Cup.

Mexico didn't like Messi very much. The 35-year-old was often looking for a patch of space where he could escape the attention of the Mexicans in the first half.

When a football match broke out in the second half, Messi flourished with his darting runs, quick passes and, of course, the stroke of genius that broke the stalemate.

Argentina relaxed thanks to Messi, this team's security blanket, and Enzo Fernandez added a second goal after 87 minutes.

It sent their fans in the highest attendance since the 1994 final in Pasadena, home happy, at least those who did go home because many stayed on in one stand for almost an hour after the final whistle paying homage to their heroes.

Argentina had a great World Cup. They still need victory against Poland to be certain of going through but real belief has surged through their ranks because of one stroke of Messi's left foot.

He was well aware of what was at stake.

Messi said that they couldn't give up. We cannot make mistakes in the finals. We knew we had to win and we knew how to do it.

Messi was well aware of how to do it.

He knows that this will be his last World Cup and that he has yet to win the prize. In the Maracana in Rio, Germany defeated Messi in the finals. He hasn't been able to lay hands on the World Cup yet.

The Ballon d'Or has been won seven times by Messi at Barcelona. Even though he was at Paris St-Germain, he has not won a title there.

This is Messi's last chance to win the World Cup.

The prospect of a painful exit from the tournament remains when Argentina face dangerous opponents in Poland, despite the fact that they are ranked number three in the world.

Argentina's World Cup show is back on the road because there is hope.

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