Tuesday, October 17, South American World Cup qualifications saw Argentina defeat Peru 2-0 thanks in large part to the two goals scored by Inter Miami star Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi broke the record for most goals scored in the history of the South American World Cup qualifiers with his two goals in the qualification match.
In the match against Peru, Lionel Messi scored the first goal after thirty-two minutes and then added a second with a stunning finish.
He has now surpassed Luis Suarez’s 29 goals for Uruguay with 31 goals in World Cup qualifying games played in South America (Conmebol).
“This team is incredible,” stated Lionel Messi during the news conference following the game. They are very nearly the greatest team in history every time they play.
I believe we have improved as a team in the game. We are more firm, united, loose, and confident after winning the World Cup. Hopefully, we can keep expanding.
“The team has understood Messi for a long time,” said Lionel Scaloni, head coach of the Argentina national team. He feels at ease and gains from it.
Everyone is pleased to see him on the field, so I hope he plays as often as he can.
It should be noted that Lionel Messi hasn’t started a game for Inter Miami since September 21 due to an injury. He was also unable to play in his team’s US Open Cup final loss to Houston Dynamo last month.
He started against Peru on Tuesday but entered as a substitute in Argentina’s 1-0 triumph over Paraguay on Thursday.
Argentina, who presently top the South American World Cup qualifying table (Conmebol) will play Brazil in third place and Uruguay in second.
Tuesday night, October 17, saw Brazil lose 2-0 to Uruguay, and during the match, Neymar was carried off the field on a stretcher with what looked to be a major knee injury.
In the first half of the match, the 31-year-old attacker, who moved from Paris St. Germain to Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League in August, challenged Nicolas de la Cruz for the ball and landed awkwardly.
“Hopefully, it’s nothing major,” Brazil’s captain Casemiro said to Globo TV.
We love him and he’s a key member of our team. He has a history of injuries, and every time he starts to move more quickly, he sustains another one.
