Argentina had just lost to Saudi Arabia, and the 2022 World Cup was already starting to feel like a bad dream for them. The Mexico game was a must-win. For an hour it looked like the night the dream would end.
In the 64th minute Lionel Messi picked the ball up about 25 yards from goal. He opened his body and curled a low right-foot shot into the bottom corner. Lusail Stadium went up. Argentina went on to win 2-0.
As goals go, it was not his most spectacular. There was no dribble past five men and no free kick into the top corner. It was a player who had done this thousands of times doing it once more, at the exact moment his country could not afford him to miss.
Why a low shot against Mexico makes the list
Because of everything that followed. The goal broke the deadlock in the match Argentina had to win, and it kept the campaign alive. It was Messi's 8th World Cup goal, moving him closer to the Argentine record. A few weeks later he was lifting the trophy, the one prize his career had been missing.
Without this strike, it is hard to see that story being written. The whole tournament turned on one swing of the right foot.
Some goals are ranked for beauty. This one is ranked for what it saved. There is a strong case that it was the most important goal Messi ever scored, and on a list of World Cup goals that counts for a great deal.
Next up tomorrow: number 10.
