*Museum Collection- Best Pennant Auctioned so far! Lionel Messi Argentina National Team FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 Match Pennant for Argentina vs Mexico FIFA World Cup 2022 match played at Qatar, November 26, 2022!

*Provenance: Collection of Argentina National Team Staff Member 2022*

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Messi appeared to resolve the matter, to get Argentina out of the mess it was in after its unexpected defeat against Saudi Arabia and restore the Albiceleste's outlook in Qatar 2022, with a hard-fought victory that now leaves Mexico on the ropes.

That's enough for La Pulga, the main, almost only, argument that Lionel Scaloni's team used to beat a timid rival, resigned to its fate from the start and who are one foot out of the World Cup, although not according to the numbers.

Argentina has come back to life. It could even finish top of the group if it beats Poland on the last matchday, next Wednesday. Everything will be 'as it should' in that case and the defeat against Saudi Arabia will have been a temporary setback, an accident.


The unthinkable setback against Saudi Arabia had put Lionel Scaloni's World Cup project in doubt. A blow that left the entire environment of the Albiceleste, who had arrived in Qatar full of hope, shaken. Time is running out for Leo Messi and his flame is running out by natural imperative. For this reason, this World Cup is assumed to be the star's last dance.


Something had to change for Argentina after the doubts that the Arab team had brought to light. The coach did not mess around and implemented a radical revolution in his starting eleven. Five changes. Five new faces for the match against Mexico. Three in defence (only Nicolás Otamendi remained), who was mentioned in the first match, and two in midfield.


Gonzalo Montiel came on for Nahuel Molina at right back, Marcos Acuña came on for Nicolás Tagliafico at left back and Lisandro Martínez came on for Cristián Romero in the centre of defence. The change in midfield was the inclusion of Guido Rodríguez and Alexis MacAllister. Leandro Paredes and Alejandro "Papu" Gómez were left out.


An abrupt facelift that showed that things were not clear right in a crucial duel, a premature final against an opponent that they have taken the measure of. Especially in the World Cups. In the three occasions that they have coincided in this competition, the Rioplatenses have always come out on top.


That's why the Mexican coach, the Argentine Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who only made two changes to his starting eleven, implemented a five-man defense. And with a false striker. A declaration of intent.


Mexico played to ensure that few things happened on the field. As little as possible. They took a point as the lesser evil. A draw would have kept them alive after avoiding defeat against Poland and with Saudi Arabia as their next opponent. They accepted their inferiority, historically; the precedents say so. A score against the Albiceleste would keep them on the path to reaching the round of 16 for the eighth time in a row.


And for a long time, Mexico played whatever it wanted. Nothing happened in the first half. There were no shots on goal. Argentina's hasty attempts were drowned in the area or on its border. Leo Messi, too far back to be able to participate in the game, barely had any influence. Meanwhile, Mexico was unable, without the resources to put Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez in trouble.


Still, Martino's team was the only one to get a shot on goal before half-time, in an innocent, eye-catching free kick, in which the Argentine goalkeeper, who had not been heard from throughout the match, excelled.


Only a stroke of genius, a moment of timing, a Messi appearance could turn things around. In a flat game that had begun to lose its balance after the break, the captain took responsibility. He gave the first warning with a free kick, in the half-moon, after being fouled by Erick Gutiérrez. But in the next one he had, he did not forgive.


Angel Di Maria saw him from the right. Alone, in the front. Messi received the ball and with a low shot, with his left foot, close to the post, beat Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa.

Pennant details: 41.5 CM LONG X 29.5 CM WIDE