Share. The youthful attacker glided past his opponents in an inspiring run before he combined with Sergio Aguero to open the scoring in the 20th minute. “We could give the fans another joy. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was the star of the show in Buenos Aires, where Argentina prepared for next month's Russia showpiece with a 4-0 rout of the Caribbean visitors.
Messi then curled a show-stopping free-kick past Jaime Penedo for Argentina's third 10 minutes later before netting his third in the 87th minute, having manoeuvred himself free inside the box prior to Sergio Aguero's late strike.Messi's most important hat-trick ensured Argentina qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Considering Messi is already 33, many have questioned whether the little genius would be in the Argentina shirt when the next World Cup takes place. Argentina star Lionel Messi has admitted he has enjoyed the World Cup so far but wants his country to give more. Another hat-trick and another match ball for Lionel Messi as World Cup-bound Argentina eased past minnows Haiti on Tuesday. It was a good thing we played against a team who came forward and had good players.“It was a good Argentina that we saw, but I want more.”Messi believes in their two opening Group F matches, Argentina’s forwards failed to perform as they can.That was corrected against Nigeria but now the Argentinean wants them to improve defensively.Messi added: “The forwards couldn’t find space in previous matches but we corrected that against Nigeria and that helped us create more chances.“Now we have to work on the defence to keep a clean sheet. Reblog.
While Messi has won every trophy available to him at Barcelona, he is yet to win a major trophy with the Argentine national side. Lionel Messi has retired from international duty after missing in a penalty shootout as Argentina lost a fourth major final in nine years. June 13, 2020. Messi’s quest for a major international honor proved unfruitful at the 2016 Copa América Centenario, as Argentina lost to Chile after another penalty shootout in the final. Messi's brilliance decided the seven-goal thriller at MetLife Stadium, where he left Brazil's defence in his wake for two goals in the space of three minutes to cancel out Romulo's opener. Oscar equalised and Hulk put Brazil ahead in the second half but Messi saved the best for last as the fleet-footed magician curled an unstoppable effort from the edge of the area to seal victory five minutes from the end after Federico Fernandez had equalised.Messi played just 68 minutes against Guatemala but that is all the time he needed to inspire a crushing win on the road. The Argentina captain guided his side to three international finals, including one World Cup and two Copa America campaigns, but failed to clinch any of these.
Messi also teed up Sergio Aguero for Argentina's fourth in a five-star display.Support our journalism — where text and pictures intermingle so seamlessly — and help us scale up your experience as the world changes around us. Xavi turned down those doubts as he categorised Messi as an 'animal' who is in an excellent physical condition to last at least two more years in international football. Ecuador broke the deadlock just 38 seconds into the game to send shockwaves through Argentina until Messi singlehandedly booked the country's ticket to Russia. Messi will be hoping for more celebrations like this Santos share the spoils with RB Bragantino and draw on Brasileirão returnGrêmio returns without Cebolinha and beats FluminenseFlamengo loses in Brasilierão return on Domènec Torrent’s debutPalmeiras beats Corinthians on penalties to lift the Paulistão titleAthletico Paranaense beats Fortaleza 0-2 in Brasileirão returnInternacional make solid start to their Brasileirão campaign with away winOfficial: Juventus sack Maurizio Sarri and appoint Andrea Pirlo as new managerSantos share the spoils with RB Bragantino and draw on Brasileirão returnSantos share the spoils with RB Bragantino and draw on Brasileirão return Another jinking run saw Messi fouled inside the box before converting his own spot-kick prior to half-time after Augusto Fernandez had doubled the lead. It’s been an unusual World Cup, with results no one expected, but we go on our way.”
In danger of missing the tournament for the first time since 1970 having dropped to sixth and outside of the qualifying spots entering the final match, Messi proved to be Argentina's saviour in stunning scenes. He equalised expertly in the 12th minute having combined with Angel Di Maria and his thunderous effort eight minutes later completed the comeback. Tweet. His first-half masterpiece was followed by two goals during the final four minutes – including a stoppage-time penalty – to break Switzerland's stubborn resistance in difficult conditions.The Barcelona superstar's sweetest three-goal performance came four months later against South American rivals Brazil in a friendly in New Jersey.
Messi completed his hat-trick within four minutes of the restart with a simple side-footed finish.Copa America Centenario did not go according to plan for Messi and Argentina. We continue in pursuit of the dream we all want.“We found space and had more chances to score. Another hat-trick and another match ball for Lionel Messi as World Cup-bound Argentina eased past minnows Haiti on Tuesday.The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was the star of the show in Buenos Aires, where Argentina prepared for next month's Russia showpiece with a 4-0 rout of the Caribbean visitors.Messi's sixth international hat-trick took his tally to 64 goals in 124 appearances for two-time world champions Argentina.With Messi set to be front and centre in Russia, we look at the 30-year-old's list of three-goal hauls for La Albiceleste.Messi's first international hat-trick came in a physical clash against Switzerland in Bern.