Argentine star Lionel Messi scored his 800th goal in his rich career and led his country to a 2-0 victory over Panama, Thursday, in a friendly match that witnessed wild celebrations of Albi Celeste winning the World Cup title for the third time in its history.
With a wonderful free kick a minute before the end of time, Messi, the best player in the world seven times, concluded an “exhibition” match in which the 21-year-old Thiago Almada (78) opened the scoring, scoring his first goal in the third international match.
The capital, Buenos Aires, witnessed an emotional and poignant evening, with the launch of fireworks over the historic Monumental Stadium, which was filled with 83,000 lucky people who were able to obtain tickets from among 1.5 million requests, to watch the first match of their country after defeating France on penalties in the final of the Qatar World Cup after a draw. 3-3, according to AFP.
Messi, coach Lionel Scaloni and many Argentine players entered the stadium with their children, and seemed on the verge of crying, as the fans sang in unison the song “Mochachos”, the anthem of the Argentine national team crowned in the World Cup in Qatar three months ago with the world title for the third time in its history after 1978 and 1986.
After the match, the celebrations continued, with each player from the World Cup squad handed a copy of the World Cup surrounded by their families.
Messi, 35, who won the title of best player in the World Cup, said after failing in several editions, most notably the 2014 final when Germany lost 0-1 at the end of extra time. My country and the World Cup. That’s the most beautiful thing.”
As for Scaloni, who let his tears flow, he said, “I am forever grateful to these players. Football belongs to them, and it belongs to everyone who wears this shirt.”
He continued, “They make every effort and sometimes the results are not achieved. This time it was achieved and this is wonderful.”
Persistence rewards Messi
It was clear that it was not just a friendly football match, but rather a ceremonial stage for the long-awaited world title in a country that loved the round.
Although modest on the international level, Panama played well and held out until the 78th minute when their defense finally relented.
Despite possessing the ball by 73 percent in the first half, the “Tango” team did not get many chances.
Messi hit the crossbar with a beautiful free kick, while Enso Fernandez forced goalkeeper Jose Carlos Guerra to block him with one hand.
Scaloni chose the same squad that faced France in the Stade Lusail final last December, winning on penalties 4-2 after a frantic match, whose extended time ended in a 3-3 draw.
After the first half ended in a goalless draw, he made three changes, but Gerra stood twice in front of Messi and his free kicks, and blocked another opportunity for veteran Angel Di Maria, one of the World Cup final champions.
Over time, the host realized that recording was necessary to complete the festive scene.
Messi, the French player of Paris Saint-Germain, contributed to the first goal with a free kick that rebounded again from the woods, and Almada, the American Atlanta United player, followed it up, scoring the first goal.
The stands were inflamed and there was great joy inside and outside the rectangle.
A minute before the end of time, Messi got a new free kick that he played in a wonderful spiral in his way, to end the scenario of the match in the most wonderful way.
And the “mosquito” raised his tally to 800 goals in 1017 matches at the professional level.
The celebrations continued after the match, with a video reminiscent of the glory moments in Qatar, with an honor roll for the players and their families accompanied by the golden cups.
On Tuesday, Argentina will play with the submerged island of Curaçao (160,000 people) in Santiago del Isetro (north).