In the opening minute, Mercado attempts a through ball, but Messi’s run goes too early and he is flagged offside, stopping Argentina’s first attacking move.

Messi commits a foul in midfield, briefly halting Brazil’s build-up and giving the hosts a free kick.

Messi threads a through ball toward Di María in attack, but the move is nullified when Di María is caught offside, cutting short a promising chance.

Driving forward in the attacking half, Messi beats his marker and draws a foul to win a free kick for Argentina in a dangerous position.

Messi attempts another incisive through pass, this time to Higuaín, but the striker is ruled offside and the attack is stopped.

Messi tries to release Banega with a through ball, yet Banega strays offside and the flag goes up before Argentina can threaten.

Dropping deep on the right, Messi shields the ball and draws a foul, winning a free kick in Argentina’s defensive half to relieve pressure.

Midway through the second half, Messi is penalized for a foul, again breaking up play in the center of the pitch.

Late in the match, Messi tracks back and wins a foul in the defensive half, securing a free kick that helps Argentina manage the clock.