Lionel Messi marked his one thousandth profession look with a normally atypical purpose that helped Argentina beat Australia 2-1 within the 2022 FIFA World Cup spherical of 16 tie on the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar and took the two-time champions to the quarterfinals. With the purpose, Messi left in the back of Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona and his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo to succeed in a sensational feat.
Argentina’s first purpose got here within the thirty fourth minute of the sport when Messi labored his magic along with his well-known left foot to twist in a low one throughout the defenders and previous the goalkeeper. It used to be Messi’s 9th purpose in his World Cup profession and a first actual within the knockout level.
With the purpose, Messi went previous Maradona and Guillermo Stábile to turn into the second-highest purpose scorer for Argentina within the FIFA World Cup. His tally of 9 targets now handiest stands in the back of former Argentina captain Gabriel Batistuta, who scored 10 targets in his World Cup profession.
Overall, he stands moment amongst lively footballers within the record of maximum World Cup targets scored, after Germany’s Thomas Mueller (10) and one forward of Portugal celebrity Cristiano Ronaldo (9).
Messi additionally leveled Ronaldo in relation to maximum targets scored in main tournaments. 13 of Messi’s 22 such targets got here within the Copa America. However, he’s the one one between the 2 to have a purpose within the FIFA World Cup knockouts.
Argentina in the end received 2-1 within the fit towards Australia. Julian Alvarez scored the second one purpose whilst Australia pulled one backtrack an personal purpose. La Albiceleste will now tackle Netherlands, who beat USA 3-1 within the first spherical of 16 tie on Saturday, within the quarterfinal subsequent week.
