Lionel Messi capped off Argentina’s friendly win over Guatemala by scoring two goals to tie Iran’s Ali Daei for second on the all-time men’s international goal-scorers list.
Messi matched Daei with his 108th international goal when he completed his brace in the 77th minute. He received a pass from Angel Di Maria and was one-on-one with Nicholas Hagen, Guatemala’s goalie, to score from the center of the box. It marked Argentina’s final goal in La Albiceleste’s 4-1 win at Commanders Field in Landover, Md., on Friday night.
¡LA ‘PICÓ’ MESSI! 😎 Cayó el cuarto de Argentina y es un doblete para el GEN10 de la ‘Albiceleste. 🇦🇷 #AmistosoEnFOX pic.twitter.com/FYORA0mNcv
— FOX Deportes (@FOXDeportes) June 15, 2024
Messi and Daei trail only Cristiano Ronaldo on the list of men’s international scorers, with the Portuguese star netting 130 over his career. Messi’s movement up the list comes less than a week before Copa America kicks off, where he and Argentina will face Canada in the opening match on June 20.
India’s Sunil Chhetri sits third on the list with 93 goals.
Earlier in Friday’s match, Messi first scored in the 12th minute by stopping the ball after a poor clearance by Hagen. Messi kicked the ball ten yards for an easy equalizer to record his 107th international goal.
In the 3oth minute, he missed a free kick when Hagen caught his attempt just outside the net.
Friday’s match marked Argentina’s final international friendly before Copa America.
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(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)
