Argentina talisman Lionel Messi has, late on Friday, etched his name ever further into the history books of international football.
Iconic attacker Messi, of course, is currently locked in action.
As Argentina continue in their bid to march all the way to glory at the Qatar World Cup, the 35-year-old, as expected, was afforded a place in namesake Lionel Scaloni’s starting XI for a quarter-final showdown with the Netherlands.
And, as things stand at the Lusail Stadium, a moment of brilliance on Messi’s part represents the difference between the Dutch, and Albiceleste.
After picking up a pocket of space inside the Netherlands’ half, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner drove centrally, before sliding Nahuel Molina into the penalty area courtesy of the most outrageous of no-look passes.
Atletico Madrid man Molina, from here, did his part, picking out the far corner to set Argentina on their way towards a potential spot in the World Cup’s final-4:
Seriously HOW did Lionel Messi see that pass? 🤯#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/rUoJhxKK3j
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 9, 2022
In addition, it saw the 35-year-old set yet another record, in surpassing Pele as the player with the most assists in the history of the World Cup’s knockout stages.
5 – Lionel Messi has assisted five goals in the World Cup knockout stages – since Opta have World Cup assists (from 1966), this is the most on record in the knockout rounds of the finals, surpassing Pelé’s four. Goat. pic.twitter.com/ScHbh5oj1b
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 9, 2022
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