Words cannot describe Messi, remarked teammate keeper Nicolas Gonzalez. He’s the finest in the world, and he proves it match after match, day after day; he makes you grin every time he touches the ball.
Messi entered the game not only as his country’s all-time leading goalscorer, but also with more goals than the next two highest scorers combined (Gabriel Batistuta with 56 and Sergio Aguero with 41).
Argentina’s second match since winning the World Cup in spectacular fashion against France in Qatar in December, prevailing 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 stalemate, and it was always going to be about Messi achieving 100 goals.
With 102 goals, he is now third all-time behind great rival Cristiano Ronaldo (122) of Portugal and Iran’s Ali Daei (109). Messi came up short on Thursday last week when he scored his 99th goal for Argentina in their homecoming celebration match against Panama.
The Central Americans held out until the 78th minute, when MLS prodigy Thiago Almada, 21, shattered their resistance.
Messi then scored direct from a free-kick a minute from time u2014 his 800th goal in professional football u2014 in front of 83,000 jubilant supporters in Buenos Aires.
Curacao could only hold out for 20 minutes when Messi collected a pass from Giovanni Lo Ceslo, cut inside his marker onto his weaker right foot, and struck a low shot into the bottom corner.
The referee was then seen on live television giving the ball to someone on the pitch’s side, prompting DirecTV analysts to remark that it was on its way straight to the museum.
Gonzalez auto jumped goalie Eloy Room three minutes later to score from four yards. Gonzalez provided the assist for Messi’s first of three goals in four minutes, this time with his left foot.
He then sent the ball to Enzo Fernandez, who scored from distance, before Lo Celso freed Messi beyond the defence to complete his triple. Argentina slowed down in the second half, with just a penalty handed to Angel Di Maria and a close-range strike from Gonzalo Montiel adding to the tally.
But, the 42,000 supporters in attendance stayed upbeat throughout, waiting for their heroes to win the World Cup trophy in front of them.
