There’s not much in the sport of soccer that Lionel Messi hasn’t accomplished.
He’s won league and international championships, ranging from UEFA Champions League to the Copa America. Messi even has an Olympic Gold Medal from 2008. But a World Cup title still eludes him.
In this World Cup in Qatar, he won an on-field bet with Poland’s goalkeeper (who won’t pay up) and notched a goal that drew a goosebumps-inducing call from Andres Cantor.
But on Saturday, Messi did something he’s never done before. The 35-year-old Argentinian forward finally scored in the knockout stage of a World Cup.
In the 35th minute against Australia, Messi dribbled the ball just outside the box on the right wing, then laid the ball off to a teammate as he wandered into the penalty area. Two passes later, the ball was again on the left foot of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi launched the shot, which nutmegged one defender and flew by two others and Australia’s diving goalkeeper before it smashed against the back of the net, giving Argentina a first-half advantage.
Another first for a legend of the game.
Lionel Messi has scored his first goal in the knockout rounds of the #FIFAWorldCup! 🇦🇷
🎥: @TelemundoSportspic.twitter.com/B0iFyT9BnT
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) December 3, 2022
This is the fifth World Cup that Messi has played in. Beginning with a strike against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, he has now scored nine goals on the game’s biggest stage. But before Saturday, he had never scored in a knockout match for his country.
Argentina is still looking for its first World Cup title since 1986, when one of the players Messi long looked up to – Diego Maradona – led La Albiceleste.
Messi’s side took a 2-0 lead versus Australia when Julián Álvarez scored in the 58th minute.
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