New Delhi: Again! Lionel Messi bailed out Argentina with a moment of brilliance as La Albiceleste defeated Peru 1-0 in their final match of 2024. The 37-year-old star striker produced a wonderful assist while Lautaro Martinez scored the match’s only goal at the Alberto Jose Armando Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
After a goalless first half at home, the hosts returned with newfound vigor and capitalized within 10 minutes. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner took charge himself, beating three defenders to deliver an outrageous assist to Lautaro Martinez in the 55th minute. Martinez responded with a spectacular overhead kick to secure all three points for the home side.
LIONEL MESSI TO LAUTARO MARTINEZ. WORK OF ART. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/8c2pKJlOHx
— 𝐕𝐀𝐑 ☘️ (@Ziyechman) November 20, 2024
Records broken
With this assist, Messi equaled U.S. Men’s National Team legend Landon Donovan’s record for the most assists in men’s international football history, with both players now tallying 58. Leo will aim to surpass this milestone when Argentina faces Uruguay and Brazil in the 2025 World Cup qualifiers.
Lionel Messi has just EQUALLED Landon Donovan as the MOST ASSISTOR (58) in the history of international football.
The best of everything 👑🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/FBpNOxsFUJ
— SK10 𓃵🇵🇸 (@SK10_Football) November 20, 2024
Meanwhile, Martinez scored his 32nd international goal for Argentina by driving the ball into the top-right corner. The Inter Milan star is now joint-fifth with the legendary Diego Maradona on the list of Argentina’s all-time highest goal scorers.
🔝Lautaro Martínez, el quinto máximo goleador de la historia de la Selección @Argentina 🇦🇷 junto a Diego Armando Maradona ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/TK7K5oWOsl
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) November 20, 2024
Argentina finishes 2024 on top
Argentina remains first in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers standings with 25 points from 12 matches. The match wasn’t the flashiest, but their main man delivered when it mattered most, following a lackluster performance against Paraguay last week.
This victory marked their eighth win in the qualifiers and extended their lead to five points over second-placed Uruguay, who played out a 1-1 draw against Brazil on Tuesday. Argentina will return to action in March 2025, resuming their campaign with a highly anticipated clash against rivals Uruguay on March 20.
Lionel Messi’s magical assist led Argentina to a key win over Peru —watch the stunning moment that decided the game. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
