Interoduction The one way to put this: Lionel Messi is back.
Argentina defeated Peru 2-0 on Tuesday night at Estadio Nacional de Lima in Lima, Peru, in their 2026 World Cup qualifying match. Messi scored two goals and played the full ninety-three minutes.
Messi looked fit and focused, playing the entire game and scoring his first goal since suffering a right leg injury against Argentina on September 7 that limited him for the majority of his previous six weeks with MLS team Inter Miami.
At one point, Messi was dribbling back and forth on the goal line, making a Peruvian defender fall twice before reaching midfield. That’s how aggressive and nimble he was. With his two goals in the first half, he was a smart spotter, trailing his teammates on both plays until hitting open shots into the goal.
“Messi’s health is the most crucial factor. After the game, which saw Argentina maintain its top spot in the CONMEBOL Standings with 12 points, coach Lionel Scaloni of Argentina commented, “He manages the minutes alone.”
For Messi his first goal, Messi followed down the middle of the box and received a pass from Nicolás González on a silver platter. In the thirty-second minute, his left boot found the upper right corner of the net. He then jumped over a downed Peruvian defender to start the celebration with his teammates.
race came ten minutes later, as Messi was set up for a left boot into the lower left corner of the net by Enzo Fernández’s pass in the 42nd minute.
As the second half got underway, Messi persisted in his relentless pursuit of a hat trick. However, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion did not have the same spectacular moments from at least three opportunities, including a free kick in the 88th minute.
“We enjoy our highly distinctive style of play and our excellent players. After the victory, Messi stated of the Argentine national team, “We want to keep going in this direction.
“We are much more loose, unified, firm, and confident now that we have won the World Cup. We’re hoping to keep expanding,” Messi continued.
FAQ. Is Messi’s health is the most crucial factor ?