Lionel Messi ‘Matches’ Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup Record in Argentina’s Victory Over Mexico

• Lionel Messi became the first man to provide assists at five different World Cups after his breathtaking performance against Mexico
• Messi assisted Enzo Fernandez minutes after he had opened the scoring for Argentina
• Messi now joins Cristiano Ronaldo as the only men to have goal contributions at five different World Cups

Lionel Messi provided yet another dimension to his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo as Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Argentina walked into the Mexico clash knowing that a defeat would condemn them to an early unprecedented exit after the Saudi Arabia humiliation.

After a cagey first half, the game came alive after the break with Messi taking charge, as is often the case. The Paris Saint-Germain star whipped in a grass-cutter of a shot from outside the box that cannoned past Guillermo Ochoa in the Mexican goal.

Lionel Messi jokes with teammates by faking an injury during Argentina's public training

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He later became the first human being to assist at five different World Cups when he laid off a pass to Enzo Fernandez, who rounded off the victory with a peach of a shot.

Messi vs Ronaldo

This comes days after his arch-rival Ronaldo became the first human being to score in five different World Cups. Sports Brief reported that Cristiano Ronaldo has set social media ablaze after he inked his name in the football history books following his stunning performance vs Ghana in their 2022 World Cup Group H clash.

The embattled striker was part of Portugal's starting XI as they took on the African football giants on Thursday, November 24, at Stadium 974 in Ras Abu Aboud, Doha.

However, that did not stop him from shining for Portugal in their World Cup opener, as he found the back of the net in the 65th minute to hand his side the lead. The goal saw him become the first player in history to score in five different World Cups.

Portugal World Cup Squad 2022: Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing this World Cup?

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Messi equals Diego Maradona's record

Sports Brief also reported that 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.

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.

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).