Argentina's friendly match against Curaçao became Messi's exhibition match. Messi, who scored 3 goals and 1 assist, achieved the national team's 100-goal milestone (102 goals). Nico Gonzalez, Enzo, Di Maria and Montiel scored as Argentina won 7-0. Argentina's first victory by more than six goals in nearly 48 years came from a North and Central American team.
On December 18 last year, Argentina, led by Messi, stood on the podium of the World Cup winner. Exactly 100 days later, Argentina played Curacao in warm-up. Facing world No. 86 Curacao, Messi turned on a crazy goal pattern:
Goal 1: Powerful right-footed shot
Goal 2: Left foot pulling arc
Goal 3: Individual assault
In the 20th, 33rd and 37th minutes, Messi scored 3 goals in a row and put on his cap within 17 minutes! The national team scored more than 100 goals and had 57 caps in his career, including 9 for the national team. The 40,000 spectators at the scene paid homage to Messi.
In addition to his hat-trick, Messi also provided an assist to Enzo in the first half.
This halves cap means that Messi set 4 records:
scored a hat-trick in the first half of his career; the first South American player to score 100 goals (102 goals) for the national team; The national team scored 156 goals (102 goals and 54 assists), ranking first in the world; A new record of 16 goals for the national team in a single season.
Messi is not obsessed with goal numbers. In the 77th minute, Argentina received a penalty opportunity. As the team's number one penalty taker, the penalty should be taken by Messi. However, Messi gave up the opportunity to substitute Di Maria. The Angels jumped in and rewrote the score to 6-0. After the goal, Di Maria hugged Messi.
Messi's modesty has been praised by the outside world, "friends are always friends", TNT Argentina Sports commented. Messi could have played his senior year, but Di Maria created a penalty and he conceded it to his friend.
In the 87th minute, Dybala crossed from the bottom, Monteil added the icing on the cake, Argentina beat Curacao 7-0!
Until the last moment, Messi was also looking for breakthrough passes and scoring opportunities. At the end of the game, Argentina won 7-0, Messi scored 3 goals and 1 assist, and the details of "humble handicap". For the 40,000 spectators at the scene, it was another visual feast, another carnival and enjoyment. The Curacao goalkeeper will be the happy one - although he conceded seven goals, he received Messi's shirt.