Football followers heaped reward on Lionel Messi as he produced a second of trademark high quality to attain the opener in a 2-1 win over Australia and ship Argentina into the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Saturday.
Messi opened the scoring for Argentina within the thirty fifth minute. In his first try, Australia defender Harry Souttar managed to dam the shot, however Nicolas Otamendi grabbed the ball and arrange Messi within the space. The PSG star lower via Australia’s defence to place Argentina forward within the sport.
It was his 789th aim in his 1,000th profession look – however first within the knockout rounds of the World Cup – helped arrange a last-eight conflict with the unbeaten Netherlands on Friday.
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This was Messi’s third aim within the match, getting him previous Argentine legend Diego Maradona in World Cup targets. Messi has scored in each World Cup match, besides within the sport in opposition to Poland, the place he missed a penalty.
Julian Alvarez scored the opposite within the 57th minute after some calamitous Australian defending, earlier than Enzo Fernandez’s 77th-minute personal aim arrange an unexpectedly nervy finale.
Messi is seeking to win his first World Cup.
As he dazzled the followers, gamers and pundits alike, right here is how the social media reacted to his exceptional efficiency in opposition to Australia.
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Bengaluru FC defender John Johnson takes on Morgan
Rene Higuita is impressed
Rio Ferdinand calls it ‘best individual performance’
“Messi has given the best individual performance we’ve seen at this World Cup so far. By a mile.”
— Rio Ferdinand, former England defender.
Gary Lineker talks about Messi magic
FIFA sums it up