It's an old and familiar script that never gets tired.

Lionel Messi delivered again for Argentina when they needed him most. You can watch his brilliant first goal and all the match highlights below.

There's also plenty of added flavour from their win over Mexico in Phil McNulty's match report., external

We'll be back tomorrow from 08:00 GMT with four more games on their way, including Spain v Germany, which is live on the BBC (19:00).

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

The Argentina fans won't be thinking they're a limited team. Scaloni doesn't know his best 11; he's changed three out of four defenders and two out of three midfielders today.

It doesn't matter today but we need to know where they're going. It needed a moment of genius to break what was a very dull game.

Image source, Getty Images

I've not seen the pitchside post-match press area so busy since all the bustle of the Molineux tunnel in the Nuno Espirito Santo days...

Only joking.

There's only one story in town tonight and Lionel Messi has delivered it, even if you can only just about see him now.

Tim Vickery
BBC Sport South American football expert

Why are Argentina finding it so hard to live up to their billing, this team that entered the tournament 36 games unbeaten?

There are two reasons, I think: they have one idea and it's a circuit of midfield passing. Firstly, the opposition have prepared for it and tried to nullify it in different ways: Saudi Arabia played with a very high line and Mexico have been very unambitious, playing three defenders and three midfielders through the centre to try to stop that circuit.

But Argentina have also had problems reproducing the circuit. They lost Lo Celso, who is a vital part of their midfield. He's the one supplying Messi, and they haven't been able to replace it.

Paredes usually plays the first ball out. They replaced him with Guido Rodriguez, which I thought was an astonishing decision because he's a defensive midfielder who you bring on when you're protecting a lead. There was no rhythm because he doesn't have the passing skills.

Spain did it with Busquets, and Argentina are trying to do it with Rodriguez, for crying out loud. You could see the impatience of Messi with Rodriguez, telling him to bring the ball forward and commit someone. The players ahead of him are looking poor because there's no rhythm.

They bring on Enzo Fernandez and, within five minutes, they've got a goal. It was a fine, intelligent pass from Di Maria and a lovely touch and shot from Messi. But who gives Di Maria the ball? Fernandez further up the pitch.

The one thing that you see in him is the perfect temperament. He's a little bit like Joe Frazier - the harder it is, the more he likes it. This is a player who loves the stage. He's not going to be out of the side anytime soon.

The maestro conducts his orchestra as only Lionel Messi can.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

Only Messi could imagine that if he touched the ball at the right pace, in the right place, it could go there. Most players would have passed it because they wouldn't have been able to see the angle. He opens the scoring and then whatever happens is less important, isn't it?

John Bennett
BBC World Service Sport

Doha is going to be buzzing for the next few days after that Argentina win. Their travelling fans have been exceptional since I’ve been in the city.

It would be great for the tournament if they go a long way. Incredible passion.

Chris Sutton
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Messi's done this throughout his career, these big moments. He barely had any space this evening and the goal was the first bit of space he did get.

His first touch was wonderful: he allows the ball to come across his body when the ball's played in from the right. It's the perfect touch because he can then hit it with his left foot seamlessly.

He's the difference-maker. It wasn't really a surprise to anybody because it was always going to be a moment like that to settle the game. He's come up trumps again.

Roy Keane can be a hard man to please. The former Republic of Ireland midfielder called Lionel Messi's performance "very, very average" bar his goal, but then goes on to praise his record of two goals in two games at the World Cup.

Keane also made some positive noises around Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni.

"They have had a lot of critics over the last few days but they turned it around," Keane said on ITV.

"Credit to the young manager - he made changes before and during the game. The subs brought a bit of energy, quality and gave them that momentum.

"After the first goal, they weren't losing that game. Their supporters will be feeling a lot better tonight."

Well he did it. Was it really a surprise?

Lionel Messi produced a moment of trademark magic to make the breakthrough as Argentina kept their World Cup hopes alive with victory in a tense encounter against Mexico.

You can read all about that and get our chief football writer, Phil McNulty's take on events at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, right here.

Sho: Mexico not picking Chicarito looking real stupid. They could play forever and not score this tournament, zero goal threat.

Peter: Mexico have played two, scored 0, and have 1pt... And it's still anyone's game on who can get to the knockout stages. What a group!

Image source, Getty Images

Lionel Messi is now both the youngest (18y 357d vs Serbia in 2006) and the oldest (35y 155d vs Mexico today) player to both score and assist in a single World Cup game since the start of the 1966 tournament.

Image source, Getty Images

Argentina kept their first clean sheet in seven World Cup matches, since a goalless draw with Netherlands in the 2014 semi-final (progressed to the final on penalties).

That victory means that Argentina have now won eight of their last 11 meetings with Mexico (they drew the other three).

Chris Sutton
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Argentina were under pressure coming into this game but the little man came up with another big goal. It was a wonderful finish from him in a scrappy game.

Then Enzo Fernandez - what a finish. Job done, game over and on to Poland on Wednesday. They've still got work to do to top this group.

I'm delighted that Argentina won the game for Lionel Messi. We don't want Argentina going out at the group stage. Talk about earning the right under pressure. It was a terrible game but it would have been lamentable for Lionel to leave a loser.

The Fernandez goal was an unbelievable finish. Their confidence will be up now - listen to the supporters, it's amazing.

Image source, Getty Images

Lionel Messi has contributed to goals in his last four games in the World Cup (three goals, three assists).

Mexico could probably do with someone with that sort of record - they have now failed to score in their last four games in the World Cup, a run of 432 minutes without a goal.

Image source, Getty Images

Argentina remain in the 2022 World Cup. Never in doubt was it, eh?

Image source, Getty Images

The strained expressions on Argentina's bench from earlier have been replaced by smiles.

Image source, Getty Images

Mexico are having a go here but every forward pass or cross has an Argentine body behind it waiting to clear.

Chris Sutton
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

It hasn't been slick, it hasn't been pretty but it's all about winning under pressure.

Two incredible finishes. You could argue Fernandez's was better than Messi's.

He had that lovely awareness. You have that picture in your head, as a footballer, of what you're trying to do. It was perfection.