Legendary forward Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup knockout stage goal during his 1000th career game as Argentina battled Australia in their Qatar 2022 knockout stage. With nine goals, the 35-year-old star surpassed the iconic Diego Maradona's goal tally at the showpiece tournament.
Legendary forward Lionel Messi, who played his 1000th career game as Argentina battled Australia for a place in the Qatar World Cup 2022 quarter-finals, scored his first knockout round goal in the showpiece event. With a total of 9 goals, the 35-year-old superstar has now surpassed iconic Diego Maradona's goal tally at football's grandest stage.
Lionel Messi surpasses Diego Maradona in World Cup goals. Maradona on eight goals, Lionel Messi on nine goals. ๐ฆ๐ท pic.twitter.com/8WOx5hduhP
โ Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer)By scoring the opening goal for Argentina in their World Cup 2022 clash against Australia, Messi now has as many major tournament goals as Cristiano Ronaldo (22), sending fans of the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star into a tizzy.
Lionel Messi 1st World Cup Knock Out Goal ๐ฅ๐งโโ๏ธpic.twitter.com/BegAlPyDLe
โ Tommy ๐ฉ (@Shelby_Messi)Argentina had an early claim for a penalty dismissed when Papu Gรณmez's pass appeared to be blocked by the arm of Keanu Baccus in the area, but the referee waved the shouts away. The player was a free agent before the World Cup in Qatar.
Before Argentina's side, led by Lionel Scaloni, found a way through thanks to Messi, Australia had frustrated Argentina for most of the first half.
In the 35th minute, Nicolรกs Otamendi flicked Alexis MacAllister's pass into his path at the edge of the box, and the Argentine number 10 scored a goal with a left-footed shot into the bottom corner in his 1000th career game. At half-time, Argentina was leading Australia 1-0. Messi now has 789 goals in 1,000 games in his career.ย
Messiโs goal, absolutely sublime. ๐ pic.twitter.com/WUk5CLJnal
โ J. (@Messilizer)Fans of Messi took to Twitter to celebrate their superstar's historic feat and flooded the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner with praises. "Glad I was alive to see this," said one fan, while another added, "1000 career games for Leo and of course he scores. Iconic!"
A third enthusiast remarked, "Keeps on shining! Greatest ever! #Messi."
Football expert and legendary England striker Gary Linekar said, "Messi scores his 789th goal in his 1000th match and his first ever in a knockout game at a World Cup. His 9th World Cup goal takes him ahead of Maradona and one behind Batistuta. A moment of Messi magic amid a messy match."
Here's a look at some of the other reactions on the micro-blogging site:
๐ฆ๐ท Messi now has 789 goals in 1,000 games in his career ๐คฏ pic.twitter.com/pTEcHrlwyc
โ UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague)Glad I was alive to see this https://t.co/cZAtUH0XQJ
โ Lil Depressed Soul ๐๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ฑ๐บ (@RamoneMurdock)1000 career games for Leo and of course he scores. Iconic! ๐๐ป๐ฆ๐ท https://t.co/1OXmYIJunA
โ Alek (@Kloppmightyreds)Keeps on shining ๐! Greatest ever! https://t.co/PCdz47NNRQ
โ Bert Debono (@BertDebono)35 years old Lionel Messi has most G/A in this world cup. pic.twitter.com/y9E1XGmW3T
โ Tommy ๐ฉ (@Shelby_Messi)Messi scores his 789th goal in his 1000th match and his first ever in a knockout game at a World Cup. His 9th World Cup goal takes him ahead of Maradona and one behind Batistuta. A moment of Messi magic amid a messy match.
โ Gary Lineker ๐๐ (@GaryLineker)No Messi fan will pass without giving it a like โฅ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/LtLexjUmZ6
โ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ก ๏ฃฟโข (@iamjuddah)A goal in his 1,000th game.
And yet again, it was when his team needed it most.
How many times have we said that about Messi throughout his career? ๐ pic.twitter.com/bpICHMasqE
Messi's latest World Cup goal brings him to within 1 of the Argentinian record! โจ
๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ท Batistuta 10
๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ท Messi 9 ๐
๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ท Maradona 8
๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ท Stabile 8 pic.twitter.com/wyzmlY0HFH
๐จ Goals this season:
๐ฆ๐ท Messi: 20
๐ต๐น CR7: 4
Itโs not even close anymore ๐ฅถ pic.twitter.com/6q8GGeBfGl
A solid half by Argentina. Lionel Messi's goal was well deserved and came when Argentina were really pressing and getting into the penalty area. Julian Alvarez is pressing and playing very well. Papu Gomez trying to create things with the midfield being solid. ๐ฆ๐ท
โ Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer)Two ๐ ๐
Lionel Messi has now scored as many major tournament goals as Cristiano Ronaldo, 22 total. pic.twitter.com/KlSCOSHa1M
LIONEL MESSI
THE GREATEST THERE IS
THE GREATEST THERE WAS
THE GREATEST THERE EVER WILL BE pic.twitter.com/qckP5nCdk2
1137 goal contributions in 1000 games, freak of nature. Lionel Messi.
โ Mod (@CFCMod_)Everytime Argentina needs a Goal
Messi: pic.twitter.com/tq0stbkxz7
That's what they came to see pic.twitter.com/mhHFWqw7WD
โ Ankur (@AnkurMessi_)