Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina defeated Honduras 3-0 on Friday, turning the match into a funfair for the Albiceleste supporters in Miami.
In a masterful display for Argentina against Honduras on Friday night, Lionel Messi scored an incredible chip. Argentina defeated Honduras 3-0 as they continue to prepare for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The over 64,420 spectators which mostly comprised Argentina supporters at the Hard Rock Stadium left in a happy mood as a tough Honduran team was decisively defeated.
For the first goal, Messi the 35-year-old was in the thick of things, lobbing the ball over the defenders to Papu Gomez, who then gave Lautaro Martinez a tap-in.
Messi was at the center of it all, scoring twice during an incredible individual display.
Messi played a key role in the game’s opening play as Papu Gomez was set up by his brilliant through ball to square for Lautaro Martinez to score.
But just like his pre-assist, his pass that allowed Lo Celso to advance was excellent. His second, though, was a true stroke of genius.
Due to some effective pressure, Enzo Fernandez was able to steal the ball high up the field, where it eventually dropped to Messi 30 yards away. He raised his head as he skillfully chipped the ball over Honduras goalkeeper Luis Aurelio Lopez Fernandez.
After a defensive blunder, the Paris St. Germain forward scored Argentina’s third goal of the match with a beautiful chip over the goalkeeper.
As they continue to polish their performance in preparation for the Qatar World Cup, the Albicelestes will now play Jamaica on Tuesday in New Jersey.
Due to their current 34-game unbeaten streak, Lionel Scaloni’s team will enter the competition as one of the favorites to win the title.
They are in a group alongside Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland, and they believe they have a good chance of moving on without too many obstacles.
Messi’s title as the greatest player of all time would likely be cemented if he can captain Argentina to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In the round of 16 of the previous World Cup, they were defeated 4-3 by eventual champions France.
How Messi was protected by his teammates
The Honduras player Deiby Flores infuriated Lionel Messi’s Argentina teammates by knocking over the PSG star during Friday’s friendly game.
With Messi laid out on the ground and both sets of players engaged in a violent argument, Rodrigo De Paul, who had a suspicion that an elbow had been thrown, led the protests as he sprinted over to the referee.
Stay away from the goat! After he was knocked to the ground, Argentina’s teammates, who felt a responsibility to defend their iconic captain, were not having it. The team led by Lionel Messi seems to have a strong sense of unity, and they are unquestionably one of the favourites to win the World Cup.
Note that the impact of that particular challenge on Lionel Messi wasn’t too serious.
How Lionel Messi is preparing ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
While Lionel Messi hopes to avoid being hurt before the World Cup, he is adamant that he won’t be going above and beyond to make sure he doesn’t miss out.
If he is not ruled out due to injury, Messi will be trying to lead Argentina to the World Cup glory in Qatar, but he isn’t concerned about being hurt beforehand. This may be Messi’s final appearance at a World Cup.
The 35-year-old is getting ready to play in his sixth World Cup and has six goals in 11 games for PSG so far this season (2022-2023).
In addition, when Lionel Messi was speaking after the match he said: “There are a lot of games and little downtime, so it seems complicated, but you have to deal with it as usual.
“It might get worse if you choose to play while considering the World Cup, taking care of yourself, or not making mistakes.
“I firmly believe that events transpire for a reason and that they will take place if they must. God willing, everyone will remain as they are and there won’t be any accidents.”
