World Cup 2022: Leo Messi Equals Diego Maradona’s Record With Sensational Goal Against Mexico

World Cup 2022: Leo Messi Equals Diego Maradona’s Record With Sensational Goal Against Mexico

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
In this article:
FIFA World Cup logo
FIFA World Cup
International
Lionel Messi logo
L.Messi
Inter Miami CF logoFArgentina logo
  • Lionel Messi drew level with the legendary Diego Maradona for the number of goals scored by an Argentine at the FIFA World Cup
  • The Paris Saint-Germain superstar scored his second goal of the 2022 World Cup which took his total tally at the Mundial to eight
  • Messi's Argentina were given a rude awakening by Group C minnows Saudi Arabia in their opening game and had all to do in their second outing against Mexico

Lionel Messi further embellished his status as perhaps the greatest footballer to have ever graced the sport with an excellent performance for Argentina.

Messi scored and provided an assist as Argentina returned to winning ways after stumbling to a shocking loss to Group C minnows Saudi Arabia in their opening game.

The victory revives Argentina's World Cup hopes, picking their first win of the 2022 World Cup with a two-nil victory against Mexico.

Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, World Cup
Lionel Messi matched Diego Maradona's goal-scoring feat at the World Cup. Photo credit: @brfootball @FIFAWorldCup
Source: Twitter

Three points were not the only thing at stake for Messi as the Paris Saint-Germain superstar was chasing a record held by the legendary Diego Maradona.

Exciting feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

He equalled Maradona's eight goals at the Mundial with his ferocious strike against Mexico, drawing him closer to Argentina's all-time top scorer in the competition Gabriel Batistuta (10 goals).

Messi inspires Argentina to win

Lionel Messi helped keep Argentina's World Cup bid alive with the first goal in a 2-0 victory over Mexico on Saturday.

Defeat to outsiders Saudi Arabia in their opening Group G match in Qatar had left Argentina on the brink, knowing another loss would spell the end of their tournament chances.

But the Albiceleste just edged a disjointed and tetchy affair against their fellow Latin Americans at the Lusail stadium in Doha.

Messi moves fan to tears

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Lionel Messi scored a stunning goal for Argentina in their second World Cup group game against Mexico.

Messi's Argentina were consigned to a shock defeat at the hands of minnows Saudi Arabia in their 2022 World Cup opener.

The result invariably ended Argentina's 36-game unbeaten run dating back to 2019, thus putting overwhelming pressure on La Albiceleste in their second group game against Mexico.

Authors
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe photo
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga editor with five-year experience. He previously worked with Sports Corna and 360SportsGH.
Tags
World