Lionel Messi Scores 100th Argentina Goal in Friendly Against Curacao

Argentina captain Lionel Messi on Tuesday scored his 100th worldwide purpose for the reigning world champions as they romped to a 7-0 pleasant win over outclassed Curacao.

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi opened the scoring in opposition to the Caribbean island minnows on 20 minutes in Santiago del Estero.

It got here 17 years after he opened his Argentina account in a 3-2 defeat to Croatia in March 2006.

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The 35-year-old quickly added one other simply after the half-hour mark to make it 3-0, after which accomplished his hat-trick on 37 minutes with the fifth as Argentina toyed with their overmatched opponents.

It was his seventh hat-trick for the nationwide workforce.

“You can not describe Messi in phrases,” said fellow goalscorer Nicolas Gonzalez.

“He’s the best in the world and he shows it match after match, day after day. Every time he touches the ball, he makes you smile.”

Messi got here into the sport not simply as his nation’s all-time report goalscorer, however with extra targets than the subsequent two prime marksmen — Gabriel Batistuta on 56 and Sergio Aguero with 41 — put collectively.

This was Argentina’s second match since successful the World Cup in dramatic type in opposition to France in Qatar in December — triumphing 4-2 on penalties after an exhilarating 3-3 draw — and it was at all times going to be about Messi reaching 100 targets.

Now with 102, he stays third in the all-time record, behind nice rival Cristiano Ronaldo (122) of Portugal and Iran’s Ali Daei (109).

Messi had come up brief on Thursday final week when he notched his 99th purpose for the Albiceleste as Argentina toiled in their homecoming celebration match in opposition to Panama.

The Central Americans had held out till the 78th minute earlier than 21-year-old MLS sensation Thiago Almada broke their resistance.

Messi then scored direct from a free-kick a minute from time — his 800th purpose in skilled soccer — in entrance of 83,000 delirious followers in Buenos Aires.

Curacao, ranked 86th by world governing physique FIFA, might solely maintain out for 20 minutes earlier than Messi took a move from Giovanni Lo Ceslo, minimize inside his marker onto his weaker proper foot and fired a low shot into the underside nook.

The referee was then seen on dwell tv throwing the ball to somebody on the facet of the pitch as DirecTV commentators speculated that it was heading “straight to the museum.”

Three minutes later Gonzalez outjumped goalkeeper Eloy Room to head home from four yards.

Gonzalez turned provider as Messi scored the first of three goals in four minutes, this time with his left foot.

He then laid off the ball for Enzo Fernandez to make it four with a shot from distance before Lo Celso released Messi behind the defense to notch his treble.

Argentina took their foot off the gas in the second half, with only a generously-awarded Angel Di Maria penalty and a close-range finish from Gonzalo Montiel adding to the score.

But the 42,000 fans present remained in party mood throughout, waiting for their heroes to lift the World Cup trophy in front of them.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed)