Fans in Lyari over the moon after Argentina beat Mexico in FIFA World Cup
Lionel Messi led his side to a 2-0 victory
KARACHI: Football fans in Karachi’s Lyari were ecstatic after Argentina defeated Mexico on Saturday to stay alive in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022.
It was a must-win match for Argentina after they suffered a shock defeat against Saudi Arabia in their opening match.
Argentina’s win sparked great celebrations across Lyari, which is a hub for football fans in Karachi.
Lionel Messi helped keep Argentina´s World Cup bid alive with the first goal over Mexico before Enzo Fernandez added a thunderbolt second three minutes from time.
"The first game cost us," said Messi. "We knew that we had to win today, that another World Cup was starting for us and we knew how to do it.
"It was a tough game to pick ourselves up for because Mexico play well.
"The played the first half with intensity but the second half we relaxed and became ourselves again."
Messi´s goal meant he tied the late Diego Maradona on eight goals and 21 appearances at the World Cup for Argentina.
The goals were two rare moments of quality in a below-par encounter where the occasion got the better off most players, except seven-time Ballon d´Or winner Messi.
Argentina still need to win their final group match against Poland to secure a place in the round of 16.
"We cannot let up now. Every game is a final now, we cannot make any mistakes," said Messi.
Meanwhile, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni pleaded with Argentines to show calm after the crucial win.
Asked about images showing his assistant Pablo Aimar on the brink of tears during the game, Scaloni called for some perspective.
"You have to have some common sense, it´s just a football match," he said.
"I received a message from my brother saying he was crying and it can´t be like that. It´s as if it were more than a football match.
"I don´t share that. The players must understand it´s a football match. If not, it will be like this in every match.
"It´s hard to make people understand that the sun will rise tomorrow, win or lose. What matters is how you do things."
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