Messi scored from distance Argentina beat Mexico 2-0
In the second round of the Qatar World Cup Group C focus match on the 26th local time, Argentina defeated Mexico 2-0 with goals from Messi and Enzo Fernandez in the second half.
Mexico's Ilvin Lozano (left) and Argentina's Otamendi (center) scramble during a match on November 26. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cao Can
Argentina's Acuña (right) and Mexico's Néstor Araujo during a match on November 26. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Pan Yulong
This match is Messi's 21st World Cup appearance for Argentina, which equals the all-time record held by "the king" Maradona. At a time when the team was in danger, the 35-year-old Argentine superstar stepped up and scored a crucial long-range shot to save the team. Argentina also made good on their pre-match promise to console Maradona, who died two years ago, with a victory.
After a 1-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the first round, Argentina will be eliminated early if they lose again in the second round. Standing on the edge of the cliff, Argentina coach Scaloni made as many as five changes to the team's starting line-up, but with little success. Throughout the first half, Mexico contracted its defense across the board, and Argentina largely did not create any threatening attacks.
Argentina goalkeeper Armani (top right) saves during a match on November 26. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cao Can
Argentina's Messi (left) breaks through with the ball during a match on November 26. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Dingbo
The Argentine, who had been unable to attack for a long time, finally waited for their hero in the 64th minute. Messi received a pass from Di Maria outside the box, made a slight adjustment, and played a "close cut" with his left foot, and the ball jumped into the dead corner, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead. After conceding the goal, Mexico pressed heavily to try to equalize the score, leaving a large area in the backline. In the 87th minute, substitute Enzo Fernandez scored another goal to seal the victory for Argentina.
Argentina's Lionel Messi (center) celebrates a goal on November 26. Photo by Xu Zijian, a reporter from Xinhua News Agency
Argentina's Enzo Fernandez celebrates with Messi (right) after scoring a goal on November 26. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cao Can
At the end of the round, Poland has 4 points, Argentina and Saudi Arabia have 3 points, and Mexico has 1 point. In the final group stage, Argentina will play Poland and Saudi Arabia will play Mexico. Argentina will secure a place in the group if they win.
On November 26, the Argentine players celebrated their victory after the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cao Can
For Messi, a trip to Qatar for Chinese fans
As a longtime fan who travels the world and runs football matches, the quadrennial World Cup is definitely a must-see event for 30-year-old Judge. Since he fell in love with Messi 12 years ago, he has followed in the footsteps of Messi, following the schedule of football matches, as a freelancer, he went to England to watch the Premier League, France to watch the Champions League, Spain to watch the First Division... Wherever there is football, he is there. On November 15, 2022, with a backpack, a suitcase, and fully equipped, Judge officially began his World Cup journey to Qatar.
△ Judge unfurled the Messi support banner brought from home outside the stadium
For this Qatar World Cup, he has been preparing for more than half a year, coats, hats, bracelets and other official peripherals and customized banners from China, Argentina's official purple coat from the United Kingdom, Argentina's blue coat from Singapore, Argentina's home player's version of the shirt from Spain, and the Argentina's away player's version of the shirt from the United States... Sourced everything imaginable from five continents. " Go!" Before getting on the plane, Judge left a departure photo full of smiles, this World Cup in Qatar, he came for Argentina, for Messi.
△ Justie's equipment prepared for the World Cup in Qatar
28 tickets and $84 room rate
100,000 yuan can't finish a World Cup
Judge, who lives in New Zealand, departed early on the 14th, arrived in Abu Dhabi after 26 hours, rested in the United Arab Emirates and Oman for four days, departed from Dubai for Qatar on the evening of the 18th, and officially landed at 00:10 Doha time on the 19th. As soon as he landed, Judge was ignited by the atmosphere of Doha Airport, "The small football at the airport was laid out, and the airport was still crowded at 1 a.m. After landing, 15 minutes to cross, Judge took the airport bus and went straight to the fan apartment.
"Plan to stay for a month, from the opening ceremony to the final." Judge prepared 100,000 yuan and bought 28 tickets, which cost 80,000 yuan on the ticket money alone. "The cost of accommodation, food and air tickets is actually not high, and the main expenses are on Argentina tickets." Judge has no fixed job for the time being, and has taken out almost all of his savings for this World Cup, so in order to save as much as possible, Judge chose the lowest official accommodation, "$84 a night, room facilities are very simple, two beds and two cabinets, and the rest is gone." But for Judge, who is focused on the game, the accommodation doesn't affect his mood to watch the game.
△ One of Judge's Qatar World Cup 28 tickets
There are free shuttle buses from the apartment to the subway station and major stadiums, and the Qatar bus ride with the fan card is also completely free, in line with the principle of saving money, Judge tries to take public transportation, but just 3 days in Qatar, Judge obviously feels that the money is not enough. "Prices in Doha are really high, especially fruit, some of which are simply ridiculously expensive."
The weather in the Middle East is extremely hot, it is still 25-30 degrees near winter, and the subway, bus and indoor air conditioning are like not paying money, driving full power, so a careless, Judge caught a cold. Although there were some minor accidents, in Qatar, Judge also encountered a lot of small luck, "On the first day, I went to the accommodation in the middle of the night, met Messi and Argentina's banner, and also got his own tickets for the best position between Argentina and Saudi Arabia. "
△ Juggie and Ecuadorian fans
Before the opening ceremony on November 20, a large crowd of fans gathered at the entrance of the Bay Stadium. Ecuadorian fans, with oil paint on their faces and wearing doll suits, soon surrounded Judge, who was wearing a blue-and-white striped fan suit. Fans draped in the flags of different countries held hands and cheered for the upcoming World Cup. As a fan of Messi, Judge also quickly found his own organization, fans singing and dancing excitedly, and the fiery atmosphere erased the boundaries of nationality.
△ Fans from different countries lean together
" The opening ceremony was absolutely great value for money!" To meet fans from all over the world on the stadium, no matter where you come from, no matter which team you support, in front of the World Cup, it will come together naturally," Sport knows no borders. Sitting among fans from different countries, Judge enjoyed his first World Cup opening game.
Sit in the best area
What it's like to witness your favorite team lose
The World Cup in Qatar is Judge's second World Cup experience, four years ago in Russia, he witnessed the French team win the championship and saw his idol Messi on the field for the first time. "After watching the World Cup in Russia in 2018, I made up my mind, and the next World Cup, I will still be on the scene!" In 2022, Judge finally fulfilled this four-year contract in Qatar.
△ A photo taken by Judge at the game site
On November 22, it was a big day for Judge, with Argentina playing their first World Cup in Qatar. "After four years of waiting, I have come a long way, and I finally waited for Argentina on the World Cup stage again and met Messi!" Before the game, Judge posted such a news on social media. For this match, Judge gave up the tickets he had worked hard to grab for a month and upgraded to a great viewing position in District 107 directly above the players' tunnel in order to see Messi up close and celebrate Argentina's first victory.
"Look, it's Messi!" When the players entered the field, Judge was on the World Cup field as he wished, and saw Messi, although the distance was not close, but for this old fan, the idol seemed to be close at hand, pointing to Messi, and Judge left a group photo taken at a misplaced angle.
△ Judge at the Qatar World Cup with Messi
In the opening 9 minutes, Argentina took the lead in a penalty shoot-out, which filled Jucci with hope, but soon after, in the 47th and 52nd minutes of the game, Saudi Arabia scored two goals, Judge's heart fell to the bottom, and as time passed, the game gradually came to an end, until the whistle, Argentina's defeat to Saudi Arabia was a foregone conclusion, Judge's brain briefly went blank, this result was difficult for him to accept.
The experience of sitting in the best position and watching your favorite team lose their first game will forever be etched in Judge's mind. " I was very touched by the reaction of the Argentine fans after the loss. When the disappointed Judge walked out of the stadium and mixed with the fans wearing blue and white striped jerseys, he heard songs from all directions, they sang cheering songs, and the sound spread throughout the stadium, which made Judge realize that for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, everything was just beginning.
△ Messi photographed by Judge from the upper seat of the players' tunnel
12 years old Argentine fan
The Qatar World Cup followed the team throughout the whole process
On November 27, Argentina's second big game is just around the corner, and Judge can't wait to witness the second goal of idol Lionel Messi on the pitch in Qatar. Recalling the fate of Argentina, I first met in 2006 and officially fell in love with this team in 2010. Because of his love for the Argentine team, Jucci became interested in football, "Although I was in school, I spent all the pocket money I saved to buy my first Argentine jersey, as well as a cheering school bag and a World Cup mascot from South Africa, which I brought to school every day. At that time, Judge seemed a bit of a maverick in the solemn campus.
Since then, every World Cup, Champions League, La Liga, Copa America ... Wherever there is Messi, there is him. Russia in 2018, he saw Messi at the World Cup scene. In Qatar 2022, Messi announced that this is his last World Cup and, as a fan, Judge does not want to miss it.
12 years of fan career, from ignorant students to young people, football has changed Judge's life a lot: "I have never had such a passion for anything, willing to give up everything to follow, Messi made me fall in love with football. Since middle school, Judge's life has been almost nothing but football, "Sometimes I dream of a ball game." In Judge's circle of friends, it's hard to find a piece of content that isn't about football. I'm going to transfer to a school where I can play soccer. During his school days, he was most attracted to schools with well-equipped football fields. In 2013, Judge went abroad to study, and when it comes to studying abroad, Judge said that it is because "I can buy the right football boots." For Judge, the right sneakers, like endless clothes and cosmetics that girls can't buy, can't control their desire to buy. "At that time, if there is not enough space in the suitcase, no matter what is removed, it will definitely leave a place for football equipment."
Judge, who loves football, joined the Chinese football team abroad. The weekly fixed ball game brings together many golfers like Judge. Later, Judge often played football with people from different countries in the park and became good friends with many people. Watching a ball game is an indispensable part of Judge's life, and sometimes missing a live broadcast of a ball game will annoy Judge.
Football is a part of Judge's life, football has shaped part of his character, taught him to accept imperfections, taught him to face failure, and taught him the value of love.
In this World Cup, Argentina is about to usher in two big matches, one against Mexico and one against Poland. As a fan, Jucci hopes that Argentina can win one by two goals and win one by four goals, qualify from the group and eventually win the cup. He also changed his WeChat name to "Follow the team to the Cup", sitting in the fan area, he will cheer for Argentina and Messi until the last moment!
(Modern Express)