Lionel Messi of Argentina competes for the ball with Wilder Cartagena of Peru throughout a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Peru and Argentina at Estadio Nacional de Lima on October 17, 2023 in Lima, Peru
| Picture Credit score: Getty Photographs
Lionel Messi grow to be the all-time prime scorer in South American World Cup qualifying on Tuesday after netting each objectives in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Peru in Lima.
Messi, who was included within the squad regardless of having been sidelined in latest weeks with a muscle drawback, got here on as a substitute in Thursday’s 1-0 win over Paraguay however was on the pitch from the beginning of the sport in Lima.
The 36-year-old put the world champions forward within the thirty second minute with an outstanding shot after an help from Nicolas Gonzalez, and made it 2-0 10 minutes later with a fierce end from Enzo Fernandez’s go.
Messi, who was denied a hat-trick within the second half when he had a objective disallowed for offside following a VAR overview, turned CONMEBOL’s main scorer in World Cup qualifiers together with his double taking his tally to 31, breaking a tie with Uruguay’s Luis Suarez.
“This workforce is unbelievable, each time they play they’re very near being the perfect in historical past,” Messi stated.
“On a recreation stage I believe we have now grown. After profitable the World Cup we’re assured, very unfastened, extra united and agency. Hopefully we will proceed to develop,” he added.
Coach Lionel Scaloni stated Argentina’s gamers had been on the identical wavelength as Messi, who’s planning to retire earlier than the 2026 World Cup.
“The workforce has understood Messi for a very long time, it advantages him and he feels snug,” he added. “I hope he performs as a lot as he can as a result of everyone seems to be completely happy to see him on the pitch.”
In different qualifiers on Tuesday, Uruguay beat Brazil 2-0 with Neymar pressured to depart the sphere after struggling what gave the impression to be a critical knee damage.
Venezuela cruised previous Chile 3-0, Paraguay beat 1-0 Bolivia and Ecuador draw 0-0 towards Colombia.
Argentina, who stay prime of the CONMEBOL standings, will host Uruguay on November 16 earlier than taking over Brazil 5 days later.
Peru face Bolivia and Venezuela within the subsequent spherical of qualifiers.
