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Messi magic guides relieved Argentina past feisty Mexico

LUSAIL, Qatar: Lionel Messi thumped in a 64th minute goal and Enzo Fernandez added another late in the game to give Argentina a 2-0 victory over battling Mexico in their World Cup Group C match on Saturday and reignite their tournament hopes.Messi, who equalled Diego Maradona’s Argentina record of 21 matches and eight goals at the World Cup, was nowhere to be seen for more than an hour before picking up an Angel Di Maria pass, finding just enough space and rifling in from 20 meters.Substitute Fernandez made sure of the three points when he curled a superb shot into the top corner in the 87th minute.The result restored order for the Argentines in Group C after their shock opening 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia.Argentina, on three points, can guarantee progress with a win over Poland, top on four, in their final game on Wednesday.“Today starts another World Cup for Argentina,” Messi said.

Saudi Arabia ‘will keep focused and fighting,’ Coach Renard says

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s soccer players will remain focused and keep fighting until the World Cup’s last moments, their head coach said on Saturday after the team’s 2-0 loss to Poland. “I am proud of my players and football is a team sport in which there is success and failure,” Herve Renard told a press conference. “The most important thing is that we have one match (left) and we must remain focused.” After an epic win against Argentina in their opening game, the Green Falcons failed to soar to the same heights against Robert Lewandowski and his Polish teammates at the Education City Stadium in Qatar and so remain on three points in Group C.