Messi scores two goals in return to Argentina team in 4-1 victory against Guatemala
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Lionel Messi scored twice and helped with another goal in his first international appearance since November. Argentina beat Guatemala with a 4-1 win on the night of Friday to conclude the 2024 Copa America preparations.
In IAN NICHOLAS QUILLEN
15/06/2024
Updated 8:58 AM IST, June 15, 2024
Messi completed all 90 minutes with the manager Lionel Scaloni after playing 35 off the bench during the team’s victory by 1-0 against his fellow Copa America contenders Ecuador on Sunday in Chicago.
He had previously missed a pair of international friendly matches in March due to an injury to his hamstring which also contributed to his half-dozen absences from Inter Miami in MLS play.
However, his impressive performance on Friday — where he also smashed the woodwork using a free kick and was a part of an incident that resulted in an injury-time goalis likely to reduce Argentine fears ahead of Thursday’s group game opener with Canada at Atlanta.
The long distance also offered Messi reps along with the 15 Argentina field players throughout the game.
“That was basically the idea, maybe to look for something different, a chance to improve,” Scaloni stated via an interpreter. “Angel Di Maria came in and he played more on the inside because the way the game was shaping up it gave us the opportunity to try new things.”
Lautaro Martinez also scored two goals for the current Copa America and World Cup champions against an Guatemala team that’s ranked 108th on the FIFA world ranking. This included Argentina’s goal from the penalty area which is a position Messi normally plays in games.
“Leo Messi decided,” Scaloni said. “I do not know what exactly took place in the game, but if the player was asked for it or if that he chose to donate the ball to him. This is a testament to how generous Leo Messi can be.”
Guatemala scored a shock lead in the 4th minute, when Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez turned a ball caused by an unintentional kick just to the left of Lisandro Martinez, defender, who accidentally kicked the ball over to the line of goal.
The lead lasted just 8 minutes, but Messi made it even after Guatemala goalkeeper Nicolas Hagen’s careless passing landed his eight-time Ballon d’Or winner directly in the goal area approximately 12 yards from.
The 38th minute saw Messi’s ball in the 38th minute sped Valentin Carboni onto the right-hand side of the penalty box, pressured Guatemala defensive player Nicolas Samayoa to haul down the winger, who threw an icy challenge that led to Lautaro Martinez’s penalty kick.
Martinez added his third goal goal in the 66th minute following Enzo Fernandez’s pass over the top was spotted by Messi and he provided an excellent, one-time pass back to goal.
Messi completed his scoring on the 77th minute, scoring Hagen after a play-and-go in the 77th with Di Maria.
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