Lionel Messi believes Diego Maradona would be "super happy" after he helped steer Argentina into the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup thanks to a 2-0 win over Poland.
Messi also reached another landmark as he overtook Maradona's record of 21 World Cup appearances for Argentina.
World Cup winner Maradona died just over two years ago but Messi said he believes his former mentor would be proud of his latest acheivement.
"I learned it recently, I didn't know it. It's a pleasure to be able to continue to achieve these kinds of records. I think Diego would be super happy for me, because he always showed me a lot of affection, he was always happy when things went well for me," said Messi.
Despite missing a penalty – his 39th career failure from the spot – the Argentina captain was instrumental in guiding his side past what on paper at least appeared their toughest Group C opponents.
"We achieved our first objective, which was to get out of the group after starting the way we did [a shock 2-1 loss against Saudi Arabia]," said Messi.
"I was really frustrated to have missed the penalty, because I knew that a goal could change the whole match, that it makes you play in a different way. But I think that from the penalty I missed, the team came out stronger."
Player ratings
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POLAND RATINGS: Wojciech Szczesny, 7 – The Juventus goalkeeper saved a penalty- his second already at this World Cup - from Lionel Messi and produced a handful of other top saves. Getty -
Matty Cash, 5 – Looked far too weak to his man for the second goal and outside of that, he was dragged out of position every few minutes. Getty Images -
Kamil Glik, 6 – His desperate defending sometimes paid dividends but the veteran’s spatial awareness could use some work. AP Photo -
Jakub Kiwior, 4 – Stood watching for the first goal and had a crazy rest of the game featuring a big block off the line and a terrible back pass. AFP -
DF Bartosz Bereszynski, 4 – Played Argentina onside for the opening goal and showed an incredible lack of composure throughout. AP Photo -
Piotr Zielinski, 5 – Was left chasing shadows and was unable to really influence the overall attacking flow - of which there was precious little. AFP -
Krystian Bielik, 5 – Was dispossessed far too easily in midfield and went missing in challenges far, far too often. Getty Images -
Grzegorz Krychowiak, 5 – Picked up a silly yellow card, struggled to command respect in the middle of the park and was fairly drab. AP Photo -
Przemyslaw Frankowski, 6 – While he stands himself up well under pressure, Frankowski continually dropped off his man and left gaps. EPA -
Robert Lewandowski, 6 – The star Barcelona forward was completely boxed out of the match and was barely given a chance to shine. EPA -
Karol Swiderski, 4 – Hardly touched the ball, offered nothing in the final third. AFP -
Jakub Kaminski, 5 – His build-up play over the half-way line was solid but the lack of an end product hurt his overall game. AFP -
Damian Szymanski, 5 – Stood watching for the second goal and offered very little going forward. Reuters -
Michal Skoras, 6 – Won a nice free kick and that was really all she wrote from yet another unforgettable cameo. Getty Images -
Artur Jedrzejczyk, N/A – Did very little of note outside of a few shuffles off of the ball under Argentine pressure. AFP -
Krzysztof Piatek, N/A – An uneventful performance as he never really got on the ball upon being introduced. AFP -
ARGENTINA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez 6 - Kept a 15th clean sheet in his past 18 Argentina games. Poland were so disappointing they didn’t have a shot on target. Getty -
Nahuel Molina 7 - Alert to cross quickly for the opening goal after he overlapped with Messi and pulled the ball back. It was the final ball they’d missed in the first half. AFP -
Cristian Romero - 7 The centre-half stepped up in front of the 44,089 crowd. Intercepted well when he needed to. AFP -
Nicolas Otamendi 7 - Comfortable against the tired Poles. Argentina had 73% of possession and complete control of the game. AFP -
Marcos Acuna 7 - Shot across the face of the goal on 28 minutes with a sweet left foot shot. Booked for a poor tackle and subbed. AFP -
Rodrigo De Paul 7 - Dominated and created chances, yet unconvincing at the same time. Fantastic tackle after 51. Far more touches than any other player. AFP -
Enzo Fernandez 8 - Debut game in the World Cup finals for the 21-year-old after he scored against Saudi Arabia. Set up the second goal down the middle. EPA -
Alexis Mac Allister 8 - Scored his first international goal to put Argentina ahead, a low strike into the corner. Worked hard, lots of running. Fine season for his club with Brighton and now for his country. AP Photo -
Angel Di Maria 7 - Effective down the right and had a couple of shots on target too in his 127th game for his country. AFP -
Lionel Messi 9 - A record 22nd World Cup appearance for Argentina. Won a soft penalty on 37 minutes which was brilliantly saved by the superb Szczesny. Six attempts on target, quick feet and excellent passing throughout, but no goals. EPA -
Julian Alvarez 7 - Looked like he’d scored after 28 minutes but his shot was blocked. A second shot by the Manchester City striker was saved on 35. Doubled the lead on 67, an excellent finish. Should have scored on 73 when he shot into side netting, but impressive. AP Photo -
SUBS: Leandro Paredes 6 - On for Di Maria after 59 mins for an easy run against the lethargic Poles. AFP -
Nicolas Tagliafico 7 - On for Acuna after 59 mins, the Lyon left-back surged forward and came close to scoring his first international goal. EPA -
German Pezzella NA - the Betis central defender came on for Fernandez after 79 mins. Getty -
Lautaro Martinez NA - On for Alvarez after 79 mins, Argentina’s other Martinez started the first two games but came off the bench for this win. Dragged an excellent shot wide after a terrible Polish back pass. EPA -
Thiago Almada NA - On for Macallister after 83 mins, the 21-year-old became the first MLS player to play for Argentina in the World Cup finals. Reuters
Messi, who has never won the World Cup but was a losing finalist to German in 2014, believes Argentina are moving up through the gears at precisely the right time.
"After the first goal, everything went our way. We started doing again what we had been trying to do since the start of the World Cup, but which we hadn't been able to achieve for various reasons.
"Having been able to do it today, it gives us confidence for the future."
Next up for Argentina is a last-16 clash against Australia on Saturday.
"We know that now everything will be very difficult. That whoever the opponent, it will be complicated. We have seen recently, at our own expense, that any opponent can play a good game and win."
The game was billed as a clash between two of the greatest strikers in the world: Messi v Robert Lewandowski.
For once, Messi was not the Albiceleste's match-winner as goals from Alexis Mac Allister, his for his country, and Julian Alvarez sealed victory at Stadium 974 in Doha.
Lewandowski's subdued performance mirrored that of his passive teammates, who sat back from the first whistle and rarely tested Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
At one point deep into stoppage time, the two captains and stars of their teams went face-to-face, with Messi on the ball.
The rest of his performance was insipid, but this time at least Lewandowski showed dogged determination not to be beaten by Messi, and fouled him.
Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz blamed Lewandowski's poor showing on the side's lacklustre performance.
"I'm not attacking in any way my team but they didn't help him or help him to score," said the coach.
"If Messi had played with us and Robert Lewandowski with Argentina, he would have scored five goals."
Despite the defeat, Poland advanced alongside Argentina as runners-up in Group C. They next face world champions France on Sunday.
