At 10 a.m. Beijing time on October 18, Argentina played Peru away in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America. In the first half, Messi scored twice in ten minutes, surpassing Suarez to become the all-time top scorer in the South American zone of the World Qualifiers; In the second half, Messi scored another goal but was disallowed for offside. In the end, Argentina beat Peru 2-0 to win the opening four consecutive World Qualifiers and remain at the top of the table.
In the first three rounds of the South American zone of the World Qualifiers, Argentina ranked first in the table with nine points from all three wins, while Peru had not won a draw and two defeats, ranking second to last among ten teams. In this game, Messi returned to start the game.
In the 4th minute, Messi came to the box with the ball and hit the tiger with a low left-footed shot that deflected the ball slightly.
In the 10th minute, Messi broke through to the box with the ball and was pulled down by two bags, and Argentina won a free kick.
Messi took a direct shot from a free kick, which was not powerful and was picked up by the Peruvian goalkeeper.
In the 12th minute, Peru's free kick in front of the box was hoisted into the box, Tagliafico suspected of handball, and the referee did not award a penalty after watching VAR. In the 15th minute, Messi tripped before breaking through into the box with the ball, and the referee did not indicate it.
In the 18th minute, Messi sent a straight shot in front of the box, Montier's cross from the right side of the box was blocked by the defender. In the 29th minute, Guerrero fired a long-range volley in front of the penalty area that went just over the crossbar.
In the 31st minute, Alvarez drove the ball forward and sent a straight pass, Gonzalez crossed back from the left side of the box, and Messi in the center followed up with a left-footed push to score, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead over Peru. This is Messi's 30th goal in 63 World Qualifiers, and he has also surpassed his friend Suarez as the all-time top scorer in the South American zone of the World Qualifiers.
In the 34th minute, Argentina suffered a blow and Montiel left injured and Lucas Martinez came off the bench. In the 35th minute, Messi gave the ball king, he played two opponents with the ball on the wing, knocked one down twice and continued to advance with the ball.
In the 42nd minute, González crossed again backwards on the left side of the box, Alvarez missed the ball, and the following Messi pushed a low ball into the near corner, giving Argentina a 2-0 lead over Peru. At this time, it was the same as Messi's first goal, which was Messi's 106th goal in the national team.
In the 45+2nd minute, Messi drove straight in with the ball and sent it straight over, Alvarez received a volley from the left side of the box, and the goalkeeper blocked the ball from the line. At the end of the first half, Argentina led by two goals.
In the 49th minute, Gonzalez received a volley from the left side of the penalty area, and the ball was blocked by a Peruvian defender. In the 58th minute, Argentina still attacked on the left side, the first cross was blocked, Gonzalez took the ball and passed again, Alvarez's shot at the back point was blocked, the ball came to the feet of Messi, Messi pushed the empty goal to win, but he was offside first, and the goal was invalidated.
In the 67th minute, Messi advanced from the middle with the ball and then passed to the left, Gonzalez picked out another cross in the middle, Messi followed up with a tackle, and the ball was picked by the goalkeeper.
One minute later, Messi received a low right-footed shot in front of the penalty area that deflected the ball slightly off the left upright.
In the 70th minute, Gonzalez received the ball in the box and was kicked to the foot by the opponent, and the referee did not award a penalty. In the 87th minute, Messi was brought down by two people in front of the box, and Argentina won a free kick directly opposite the goal, but from a distance. Messi opted for a direct shot and the ball went over the crossbar.
In the end, the match was over, Argentina beat Peru 2-0.