Messi reignites Argentina's World Cup campaign
2 Min Read
France becomes the first team to reach the last 16 of the World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Denmark.
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Lionel Messi celebrates scoring the opening goal against Mexico (AFP)
Lionel Messi scored on Saturday a goal to help reignite Argentina's World Cup campaign in a 2-0 victory over Mexico, following a loss to Saudi Arabia.
In the 64th minute, the Argentine scored a goal through a low shot, before rising star Enzo Fernandez strikes another goal in the 87th minute at Doha's Lusail Stadium. The win puts Argentina firmly back on track for a place in the round of 16.
France vs. Denmark
On his part, Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France became the first team to reach the last 16 of the World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Denmark.
The World Cup holders are the first team into the knockout round in Qatar after the young striker hit the winning goal in the 86th minute.
Saudi Arabia vs. Poland
Following a 2-1 shocking winner against Messi's Argentina, Saudi Arabia missed a chance to guarantee a spot in the 2022 World Cup's round of 16 after losing 2-0 to Poland.
Piotr Zielinski opened the scoring in the Group C clash, and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny saved a penalty from Salem Al-Dawsari minutes before half-time.
Robert Lewandowski then capitalized on a defensive error in the 82nd minute to score his first World Cup goal and seal the three points for Poland.
Australia vs Tunisia
Australia grabbed a 1-0 victory over Tunisia on Saturday to keep their hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout phase alive.
The Australians scored the only goal through Mitchell Duke's 23rd-minute header to position second in Group D behind France.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
