Cometh the hour, cometh the man for Argentina as Lionel Messi's drive from outside the box set them on their way to a 2-0 win over Mexico and boosted their chances of qualifying.
Messi has now scored as many
World Cup goals as Diego Maradona (eight), with only Gabriel Batistuta (10) netting
more for Argentina at the tournament.
Since at least 1966, only
Rivellino (five) has scored more World Cup goals from outside the box than Messi
(four).
Sunday's World Cup menu
Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features
Four-time winners Germany face an early exit if they lose later. Spain, Japan and Belgium are looking to secure their places in the last 16, while Canada are seeking a historic first win on the World Cup stage.
10:00 GMT Japan v Costa Rica
13:00 Belgium v Morocco
16:00 Croatia v Canada
19:00 Spain v Germany
Germany on the brink
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Hello and welcome to coverage of day eight at the World Cup.
Twenty-four matches down. Another 40 to come over the next three weeks. Football heaven.
Four more group games today, including a super heavyweight showdown between Spain and Germany.
It's a fixture worthy of the final. A fixture Germany dare not lose.
Messi's last tango goes on
It's 5am in Buenos Aires and they are still partying hard thanks to this football genius. Argentina are still alive at the World Cup.
Live Reporting
Neil Johnston
All times stated are UK
As many World Cup goals as Maradona
FT: Argentina 2-0 Mexico
Cometh the hour, cometh the man for Argentina as Lionel Messi's drive from outside the box set them on their way to a 2-0 win over Mexico and boosted their chances of qualifying.
Messi has now scored as many World Cup goals as Diego Maradona (eight), with only Gabriel Batistuta (10) netting more for Argentina at the tournament.
Since at least 1966, only Rivellino (five) has scored more World Cup goals from outside the box than Messi (four).
Sunday's World Cup menu
Four-time winners Germany face an early exit if they lose later. Spain, Japan and Belgium are looking to secure their places in the last 16, while Canada are seeking a historic first win on the World Cup stage.
Germany on the brink
Hello and welcome to coverage of day eight at the World Cup.
Twenty-four matches down. Another 40 to come over the next three weeks. Football heaven.
Four more group games today, including a super heavyweight showdown between Spain and Germany.
It's a fixture worthy of the final. A fixture Germany dare not lose.
Messi's last tango goes on
It's 5am in Buenos Aires and they are still partying hard thanks to this football genius. Argentina are still alive at the World Cup.