Lionel Messi, the football maestro, displayed his brilliance by netting two goals and playing the entire 93 minutes, igniting Argentina’s 2-0 triumph over Peru in their 2026 World Cup qualification match held at Estadio Nacional de Lima in Lima, Peru, on a Tuesday night.
After recuperating from a right leg injury that had hindered him for most of the past six weeks while playing for MLS side Inter Miami, Messi seemed sharp and back in form.
During the match, Messi exhibited remarkable agility, even making a Peruvian defender tumble twice as he skillfully maneuvered back and forth along the goal line before crossing the midfield. He exhibited tactical astuteness on both occasions he scored in the first half, timing his moves perfectly and capitalizing on open opportunities near the goal.
Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni, pleased with Messi’s performance, stated, “The most important thing is that Messi is healthy. He manages the minutes alone.” This victory enabled Argentina to maintain its position at the top of the CONMEBOL Standings with 12 points.
For his first goal, Messi positioned himself in the heart of the box and received a sublime pass from Nicolás González. With his left boot, he precisely placed the ball into the top right corner of the net in the 32nd minute, soaring over a fallen Peruvian defender in celebration.
Just ten minutes later, Messi secured a brace when Enzo Fernández’s pass allowed him to use his left foot to guide the ball into the lower left corner of the net in the 42nd minute.
In the second half, Messi remained aggressively on the hunt for a hat-trick. However, despite several opportunities, including a free-kick in the 88th minute, he couldn’t replicate the same breathtaking results as the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and the 2022 World Cup champion.
Reflecting on the win, Messi commented on the Argentine national team, saying, “We have great players and a very marked style of play, which we like. We want to continue down this path.” He added, “After winning the World Cup, we are confident, very loose, more united and firm.”
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