Argentina 2–1 Morocco: Champions Survive Early Scare

It was never going to be easy. Not for Argentina. Not at a World Cup.

Morocco came into this match ranked 14th in the world and with genuine belief — and for large stretches of the first half, they looked every bit the side that reached the semi-finals four years ago.

First Half: Morocco Dominate the Press

Romain Saïss was exceptional marshalling the backline, and in midfield Azzedine Ounahi ran the show. Argentina looked sluggish, still acclimatising to the MetLife Stadium heat.

The opener came on 34 minutes — a trademark Álvarez run in behind, a cut back, and Messi slotted home with the outside of his boot. Of course he did.

But Morocco were level before half time. A VAR review upgraded a handball call against Cuti Romero into a penalty, and Hakim Ziyech stepped up and buried it.

Second Half: Experience Wins Out

Scaloni's half-time adjustments were sharp. Mac Allister dropped deeper, Enzo Fernández was given licence to drive forward, and Argentina began to control territory.

Lautaro Martinez, on as a 68th-minute substitute, needed just four minutes to make his mark. A near-post flick from a Messi free kick found the back of the net and sent the travelling blue-and-white faithful into delirium.

Morocco pushed for an equaliser but the Argentine backline — once it got its shape — was resolute.

Key Moments

• 34' Messi opens the scoring
• 41' Ziyech pens his penalty
• 72' Lautaro wins it

Player Ratings

| Player | Rating | |---|---| | Emiliano Martínez | 7.5 | | Lionel Messi | 8.0 | | Hakim Ziyech | 7.0 | | Lautaro Martínez | 7.5 |

A win is a win. Argentina move top of Group B.