Messi completes 800th goal in his career
Watch Argentina vs Panama Highlights as Argentina’s had his first play after world cup in a friendly match against Panama which included Messi’s 800th goal making a record in his careerat Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
It was home soil match for Argentina as they faced Panama and obtained victory after their victory in FIFA world cup.
It was Almada who scored in the 78th minute of the match as it was goalless in the first half. They didn’t make it easy for Argentina to score. It was a good fight up against Argentina but eventually their defence collapsed in the 78th minute as Almada scores with only 12 minutes remaining in the game play.
It was Messi who took the chance for the goal which was a rebound, but it was a quick thinking from Thiago used it out correctly making it a goal giving the lead for Argentina.
And then Messi would go on to score his 800th career goal as a professional, finally putting home a pinpoint free kick after striking the post twice on set pieces during the match.
Argentina vs Panama Highlights
It wasn’t looking too promising for Argentina as the group of Panama reserve players courageously held the defending World Cup champions scoreless, thanks in part to strong defending and timely saves by goalkeeper Jose Guerra.
But the class of Argentina’s players eventually won out, with second-half substitute Almada continuing his strong form shown for his club side Atlanta United, and Messi transforming himself once again in an Argentina shirt.
There were celebrations and musical acts before the match, and the party continued after the final whistle, next moving to Santiago del Estero for what is expected to be another day of festivities on Tuesday against 86th-ranked Curacao.
Lionel Scalani’s team created many goal scoring chances in the first half, including a Lionel messi free kick which hit the crossbar but they were unable to find the back of the net in the first half.
The second half started with three substitutions, Lautaro Martinez was brought on for Julian Alvarez, Lisandro Martinez on for Nicolas Otamendi and Thiago Almada on for Alexis Mac Allister.
Scaloni plans proved to be working on Play field
Messi scored right before the end of the match as the Monumental errupted but it was 0-0 going into half time. Lionel Scaloni’s team created many goal scoring chances in the first half, including a Lionel Messi free kick which hit the crossbar but they were unable to find the back of the net in the first half.
The second half started with three substitutions. Lautaro Martinez was brought on for Julian Alvarez, Lisandro Martinez on for Nicolas Otamendi and Thiago Almada on for Alexis Mac Allister.
With the score still at 0-0 in the second half, Scaloni made three more changes. Paulo Dybala for Angel Di Maria, Leandro Paredes for Enzo Fernandez and Marcos Acuna on for Nicolas Tagliafico.
Argentina could have had two penalty kicks in the second half. The first was a trip on Tagliafico and the second was a foul on Paulo Dybala.
For the second time in the match, a Lionel Messi free kick hit the cross bar but the effort would lead to a goal. With the ball bouncing off the crossbar and falling to Paredes, it would then land on Thiago Almada and he would score his first goal for Argentina.
Scaloni’s team were leading 1-0 and creating more opportunities and the world’s best player would get his goal. It was another free kick and another Lionel Messi effort.
The best player in the world would not be denied and his effort would find the back of the net for Argentina’s second goal of the match, his first as a world champion for his country.
