Lionel Messi scored two goals in the first half to lead Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Peru in FIFA World Cup qualifying on Wednesday. The win extends Argentina’s unbeaten streak to 32 matches and puts them five points clear atop the CONMEBOL standings.
Lionel Messi Strikes Twice in the First Half in:
Messi opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a superb free kick from just outside the penalty area. The Argentine captain curled the ball over the Peruvian wall and into the top corner of the net, leaving goalkeeper Pedro Gallese with no chance.
Messi doubled Argentina’s lead just 10 minutes later with another fine goal. He received the ball on the edge of the box and turned his defender before unleashing a powerful shot that beat Gallese at his near post.
Lionel Messi Breaks Record:
Messi’s two goals against Peru also saw him break a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying record. The Argentine captain now has 31 goals in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, surpassing the previous record held by Luis Suarez of Uruguay.
Messi is now the all-time leading scorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Peru Push in Second Half:
Peru came out fighting in the second half and had a number of chances to get back into the game. However, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was in fine form and made a number of important saves to keep his clean sheet.
Argentina also had a number of chances to extend their lead in the second half, but Messi and his teammates were unable to find the back of the net again.
Full-Time Whistle Blown:
The final whistle blew with the score at 2-0, giving Argentina a comfortable victory. The win was Argentina’s fourth in four matches in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying and puts them in a strong position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina’s Unbeaten Streak Continues:
Argentina’s victory over Peru also extended their unbeaten streak to 32 matches. The streak began with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the 2019 Copa America and has included wins over Brazil, Uruguay, and Italy.
Argentina’s unbeaten streak is the longest current unbeaten streak in international football and is just one match short of Italy’s all-time record of 33 matches.
Peru’s Disappointing Start:
Peru’s defeat to Argentina was their second defeat in four matches in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. The Peruvians currently sit in fifth place in the standings, four points behind Argentina and Ecuador.
Peru will need to improve their results in their remaining matches if they want to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Conclusion:
Argentina’s victory over Peru was a comfortable one and extended their unbeaten streak to 32 matches. Lionel Messi scored two goals in the first half to lead Argentina to victory and also broke the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying record for most goals scored.
Peru will need to improve their results in their remaining matches if they want to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Additional Analysis:
Argentina’s victory over Peru was a dominant one. The Argentines controlled possession for the majority of the match and created a number of chances to score.
Lionel Messi was once again the star player for Argentina. The Argentine captain scored two goals and was a constant threat to the Peruvian defense.
Peru had a few chances to get back into the game in the second half, but they were unable to find the back of the net. The Peruvians will need to improve their attacking performance if they want to challenge for a place in the 2026 World Cup.
Overall, the match was a one-sided affair with Argentina being the clear winners. Lionel Messi was once again the star player for Argentina and his two goals were enough to secure the victory.