Lionel Messi helped keep Argentina's World Cup hope alive as he scored one goal and provided assist in another in a 2-0 victory over Mexico on Saturday, reports AFP.

Defeat to ‘Minos’ Saudi Arabia in their opening Group C match in Qatar had left Argentina on the brink, knowing another loss would bring the end of their tournament.

And who else but the mercurial Messi should be the hero, firing home a low shot from 20 yards on 64 minutes, before Enzo Fernandez added a thunderbolt second goal for Argentina 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.

Messi's goal meant he tied the late Diego Maradona on eight goals and 21 appearances at the World Cup for Argentina.

It came a day after Argentines marked the second anniversary of Maradona's death.

The goals were two rare moments of quality in an often poor and tense encounter where the occasion seemed to get to everyone, except seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi.

But Argentina still need to win their final group match against Poland to guarantee a place in the knock-out stages.

"We cannot let up now. Every game is a final now, we cannot make any mistakes," said Messi.

Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque