Lionel Messi delivered another stunning performance as Argentina crushed Curacao 7-0 in a friendly match, extending the post-World Cup celebration.
The talismanic player scored a hat trick in the first half, surpassing 100 goals for Argentina, while Nicolas Gonzalez and Enzo Fernandez added to the scoreline before the break.
This was Messi’s second milestone in two consecutive games, having hit the 800-goal mark for club and country in a game against Panama. Despite putting up a fight for the first 20 minutes, Curacao was no match for the rampant Argentina side.
PSG star Messi scored his second and Argentina’s third with a trademark bending shot, before setting up Fernandez for a long-range strike, making it 4-0. The first half concluded with Messi’s third goal, as he ran onto a perfectly-weighted ball from Giovani Lo Celso to complete his hat trick.
Argentina added to the scoreline in the second half with goals from Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Montiel. Lionel Scaloni and his team will regroup in June for another international break, with an eye on the start of CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in September.