Argentina needed someone to step up and save its World Cup status. It’s not hard to guess who was there to fill the role of hero.

Midway through the second half of a scoreless game against Mexico, one filled with rough challenges and devoid of any attacking quality, Lionel Messi stepped up with a moment of brilliance to make the difference.

Argentina, of course, entered the game on the back of one of the most stunning results in World Cup history: a 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia that left one of the pre-tournament favorites needing to avoid defeat against Mexico, or be eliminated in their second game.

A draw would have left them in a precarious position as well, though. Only three points would really do for the Albiceleste.

For a while on Saturday at Lusail Stadium, those three points looked elusive. Lacking any real attacking threat of its own, Mexico succeeded in turning the game into a slugfest. By the 64th minute, it was difficult to see where the goals would come from for either side.

But that’s when Messi stepped up and did what he does best. Needing just a few feet of space from around 25 yards out, he drove an inch-perfect fizzing low shot into the far corner.

With the game entering its final moments, Enzo Fernández buried an insurance goal to give Argentina a desperately needed 2-0 win.

There’s all to play for in Group C entering the final matches, with Mexico still having a chance to advance despite sitting in last place with one point. Argentina and Saudi Arabia are on three points apiece while Poland tops the group with four.

But Argentina now has a platform to go forward and make the kind of deep run so many expected. Without their superstar, Argentina may have been pondering a much different fate after Saturday’s game.

Watch Messi’s winner vs. Mexico

MESSI 😱😱😱

Argentina takes the lead vs Mexico! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/iqDUyzzxlx

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022