Published By: Ritayan Basu
Last Updated: October 18, 2023, 10:44 IST
Argentina’s Lionel Messi in opposition to Peru (AP)
Lionel Messi scored two targets as Argentina prolonged their excellent begin to South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory over Peru.
Lionel Messi turned the all-time high scorer in South American World Cup qualifying on Tuesday after netting each targets in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Peru in Lima.
Messi, who was included within the squad regardless of having been sidelined in latest weeks with a muscle drawback, got here on in its place in Thursday’s 1-0 win over Paraguay however was on the pitch from the beginning of the sport in Lima.
The 36-12 months-previous put the world champions forward within the thirty second minute with an excellent shot after an help from Nicolas Gonzalez, and made it 2-0 10 minutes later with a fierce end from Enzo Fernandez’s move.
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Messi, who was denied a hat-trick within the second half when he had a aim disallowed for offside following a VAR evaluate, turned CONMEBOL’s main scorer in World Cup qualifiers along with his double taking his tally to 31, breaking a tie with Uruguay’s Luis Suarez.
“This team is incredible, every time they play they are very close to being the best in history,” Messi mentioned.
“On a game level I think we have grown. After winning the World Cup we are confident, very loose, more united and firm. Hopefully we can continue to grow,” he added.
Coach Lionel Scaloni mentioned Argentina’s gamers had been on the identical wavelength as Messi, who’s planning to retire earlier than the 2026 World Cup.
“The team has understood Messi for a long time, it benefits him and he feels comfortable,” he added. “I hope he plays as much as he can because everyone is happy to see him on the pitch.”
In different qualifiers on Tuesday, Uruguay beat Brazil 2-0 with Neymar compelled to go away the sphere after struggling what seemed to be a severe knee harm.
Venezuela cruised previous Chile 3-0, Paraguay beat 1-0 Bolivia and Ecuador draw 0-0 in opposition to Colombia.
Argentina, who stay high of the CONMEBOL standings, will host Uruguay on Nov. 16 earlier than taking up Brazil 5 days later.
Peru face Bolivia and Venezuela within the subsequent spherical of qualifiers.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)
