Lionel Messi was the star of the show as his Argentina side beat Mexico in their second Group C match at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The seven-time Ballon D'or winner bagged the opener with a drilled finish into the bottom left corner.
He then provided an assist as Enzo Fernandez came off the bench to double their advantage with a curled finish into the top corner.
Despite a lacklustre performance, those goals gave Lionel Scalloni's side their first win at this winter's tournament and the chance to qualify with a victory over Poland in their final group game.
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Argentina
Aside from a couple of high claims and saving Vega's free-kick, the Aston Villa 'keeper had little to do and a fairly relaxing evening.
Marcos Acuna - 6
Messi looked for the full-back on the overlap but the Sevilla defender wasn't on the same wavelength as his teammate on several occasions.
Replaced Tottenham Hotspur's Romero in the starting line-up. Had to be quick along the floor in the first half to deal with Vega and Lozano's pace but did so well.
Nicolas Otamendi - 7
Otamendi put in a battling performance and added a different angle when his side looked to build up from the back. The Benfica defender showed his experience in defence.
Gonzalo Montiel - 6
Booked just before half-time for a late challenge on Gallardo as he surged forwards. Defensively solid but didn't provide much of a threat going forwards before being substituted.
Rodrigo De Paul - 6
Failed to stamp his authority as the Mexican trio buzzed around him, but Rodriguez covered the ground well in the midfield third when it looked like to be a coin toss between him and his partner as to who should be substituted just after half-time.
Guido Rodriguez - 5
Didn't look too comfortable in the double pivot with De Paul and was inevitably replaced by Fernandez just after the halfway mark. Little creativity was shown by the Real Betis midfielder.
Alexis Mac Allister - 6
Brought in for his World Cup debut, the Brighton midfielder played slightly further forwards than De Paul and Rodriguez but still failed to make his mark on the game.
Lionel Messi - 8*
Much like the Saudi Arabia game, Messi was crowded out by the Mexico midfield during the first half. However, he lit up the second period with an exquisite goal that rifled into the bottom corner. Also assisted Fernandez's strike from a short corner.
Lautaro Martinez - 5
A poor performance from the Inter Milan striker. Tipped to be a real threat at this tournament, the Argentine just hasn't got going yet and this game was no exception to that. He had the fewest touches on his team before his substitution.
Angel Di Maria - 6
Endeavoured to make things happen, the Juventus winger grabbed the assist for Messi's goal and made a match-high amount of dribbles (5).
Subs:
Enzo Fernandez - 8
Scorer of the second goal. His step-over created space inside the penalty area for him to curl the ball into the top corner and seal the victory for Argentina.
Julian Alvarez - 5
Only touched the ball a few times, the Manchester City forward didn't make an impact from the bench.
Nahuel Molina - 5
Flashed a wild effort past the post from outside the box, but that was his only contribution of note.
Cristian Romero - 6
Brought on to shore up the back-line and slotted in well alongside Martinez and Otamendi. Helped Argentina in their formation change.
Exequiel Palacios - 5
Little time to make a contribution but looked busy in the new-look midfield trio.
Guillermo Ochoa - 6
Could do very little about either goal, but the World Cup cult hero had set high standards with his performance against Poland.
Nestor Araujo - 5
Booked after 20 minutes for chopping down Acuna. Araujo didn't seem sure when passing out from the back as just one of his seven attempted long balls reached a green shirt.
Cesar Montes - 6
Central in the largely cohesive Mexican back-line. Although he was caught on his heels when called upon to close Messi down for the opener.
Hector Moreno - 6
Pretty comfortable when dragged out wide from the left side of defence. Helped by the lack of overlaps from Los Albiceleste, Moreno seemed at ease when defending one-on-one against the likes of Di Maria.
Kevin Alvarez - 6
A willing runner, but didn't offer much attacking quality as Mexico often turned to set pieces to create their chances. Alvarez was brought off for Antuna with 25 minutes left to play.
Hector Herrera - 6
Almost diverted Chavez's free-kick in early on, but couldn't get enough contact on the ball. Adopted a more defensive role as he did against Poland and was integral in creating the midfield press.
Andreas Guardado - 6
Came back into the starting line-up after missing the first game through injury. But the midfielder didn't make it to half-time and was replaced by Gutierrez in the 42nd minute. An all-action performance from the captain until that point, though.
Luis Chavez - 6
Energetic and full of heart, Chavez worked well as part of the midfield unit. But like the rest of his side, lacked that incisive pass.
Jesus Gallardo - 5
Defensively sound but a shocking delivery into the box late on in the game summed up his side's evening.
Hirving Lozano - 7
Led the line well considering the Napoli winger was playing in a slightly unfamiliar position. 'Chucky' Lozano was a handful for the Argentine back-line, but their lack of forward runners meant he didn't get a decent chance to score.
Alexis Vega - 6
Caused goalkeeper Martinez to panic from a free-kick on the stroke of half-time. Had the chance to play Lozano through on goal after winning the ball back high up the pitch, but his pass was poor and well behind his strike partner. Won some important fouls in promising areas for his side before being replaced.
Subs:
Erick Gutierrez - 5
Came on for Guardado just before the break. Booked for hauling down Messi as he escaped into the final third. The PSV midfielder was skipped past easily for the second goal.
Uriel Antuna - 5
Did little of note after coming on from the bench.
Raul Jimenez - 5
Fairly anonymous for his 25 minutes of playtime, the Wolves striker is still feeling his way back into action after injury.
Roberto Alvarado - 5
Didn't make an impact after coming on off the bench, and was booked for a cynical foul on Otamendi.