Lionel Messi has broken Argentina's record for most national team caps in style, scoring twice and delivering an assist in the first half against Bolivia after taking the field for the 148th time in his career.
The winger surpassed Javier Mascherano with his Monday appearance in the Copa America group stage. He also reached 75 goals with the Albiceleste.
Argentina topped Group A with the eventual 4-1 victory and will face Ecuador in the quarter-final.
What has happened?
Messi played the role of distributor and scorer brilliantly in the first half on Monday.
He sent Alejandro "Papu" Gomez through with a dinked pass for the opener before netting from the spot and chipping goalkeeper Carlos Lampe in transition.
As a result, Argentina entered the break up by three goals. They went on to win 4-1.
Lionel Messi is going off in his record-breaking 148th career appearance for Argentina 🔥
— Goal (@goal) June 29, 2021
Two goals and an assist in 42 minutes. pic.twitter.com/1JpQfkAvrs
How have people reacted to Messi's performance?
Messi is not of this world. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/82szoct9GW
— Nick 🇨🇦 (@Nick28T) June 29, 2021
I had a variation on that a few year ago amigo; I said, "#Messi doesn't defy gravity....he taunts it!" https://t.co/ancbhsd4T1
— Ray Hudson (@RayHudson) June 29, 2021
Lionel Messi on 75 goals in 148 matches for Argentina!
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) June 29, 2021
More casual GOATiming from Lionel Messi for Argentina's third goal v Bolivia #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/ucCJ5Jqpwj
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) June 29, 2021
📊 MESSI has the most goals (3), most assists (2), most dribbles completed (21), most shots on target (10) and most accurate final 3rd passes (84) in Copa America 2021
— mk (@BarcaStat) June 29, 2021
Out of this World 💥🐐 pic.twitter.com/dELdrInjMK
Ooooh that's magic from Messi. 3-0 Argentina.
— Daniel Edwards 💚 (@DanEdwardsGoal) June 29, 2021
Further reading
- Xhaka hails Switzerland spirit: 'This team is f*cking amazing'
- 'We win together, we lose together' - Lloris backs Mbappe after France elimination