Magical Messi Nets Five In Argentina's Thrashing
06 June, 2022
Argentina star Lionel Messi bagged five goals as the South American champions thrashed Estonia 5-0 in an international friendly on Sunday evening.
International Friendly
Result: Argentina 5-0 Estonia
Date: 05 June 2022
Venue: Estadio El Sadar
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made a host of changes from the Cup of Champions win, with only Messi, Rodrigo de Paul and Nahuel Molina retaining their spots. This was the first ever meeting between nations, with Estonia coming into the clash on the back of a 2-0 win over San Marino in their UEFA Nations League opener. The hosts were awarded a penalty seven minutes into the contest for Matvei Igonen's foul on German Pezzella in the box, which allowed Messi to open the scoring from 12 yards out.
It was one-way traffic in the first half, as Alexis Mac Allister went close to doubling the lead on 15 minutes with an effort on the edge of the box that sailed just wide of the mark.
After a quiet spell in the half, Messi had a couple chances in quick succession just before the break but the Paris Saint-Germain failed to capitalise on both occasions.
Messi got his reward on the stroke of halftime after completing his brace with a powerful shot into the top corner after being teed up by Papu Gomez.
The PSG star completed his hat-trick two minutes after the break. Molina did well to send a cross into the path of his captain, who guided the ball beyond Igonen.
Scaloni then rang the changes with Argentina comfortably leading, as Juan Foyth Paulo Dybala and Exequiel Palacios were all introduced for the final 30 minutes.
Messi's night, meanwhile, continued to get better as he grabbed a fourth goal after running onto a loose ball to round Igonen and slot into an empty net.
The South American champions were not done there, as their skipper wrapped up the scoring with his fifth goal on the night with a simple finish from close range after a goal-mouth scramble in the box on 78 minutes.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za