Messi double gives Argentina win over Peru

Becomes Conmebol WC qualifiers all-time leading scorer

FE Team | Published: October 18, 2023 23:24:33

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrating after scoring his side's second goal against Peru during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the National stadium in Lima, Peru on Tuesday — AP

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Oct 18 (Agencies): Lionel Messi scored twice in Argentina's 2-0 win at Peru in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, playing the entire match for his national team.
The 36-year-old appeared fit after he was sidelined for several matches with his club Inter Miami because of muscular pain The Inter Miami striker also passed his fellow countryman, Luis Suarez, as the all-time leading scorer in Conmebol WC qualifiers with 30 goals.
While there was doubt that the Inter Miami striker would be featured in the starting lineup, Messi confirmed he is healthy and up to old tricks by scoring two amazing goals against Peru.
Also Tuesday, Brazil - the archrival of the defending World Cup champion - took two serious blows at Uruguay. Brazil lost 2-0 to the hosts, its first defeat in 37 World Cup qualifying matches, and saw its star Neymar leave the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo on crutches with a left knee injury.
Elsewhere, Venezuela beat Chile 3-0. Yeferson Soteldo opened the scoring shortly before the break, Salomón Rondón added a goal in the 72nd minute, and Darwin Machis scored seven minutes later. Last week, Venezuela earlier had a 1-1 draw against Brazil.