Lionel Messi scored twice and Argentina defeated Honduras 3-0 in Miami on Friday as the World Cup team continues to fine-tune their game ahead of the upcoming international tournament in Qatar.
Messi was at the heart of the action from the start, throwing a pass at attacking Papu Gomez who gave Lautaro Martinez an early lead 1-0.
35-year-old Messi was the victim of a harsh foul in the 39th minute when Honduras’ Deybi Flores hit him, sending him face down onto the pitch and drawing a yellow card.
Messi’s teammates immediately stood in the face of the Honduran players and the teams exchanged words but didn’t exchange blows. The Argentina captain stayed in the game.
Towards the end of the half, Marcelo Santos fouled Argentina’s Giovani Lo Celso and Messi coolly converted the penalty to put them 2-0 ahead.
Argentina kept their pace in the second half, extending their unbeaten streak to 34 games.
Enzo Fernandez stole the ball in the 69th minute and it landed perfectly at Messi, who punched it over the goalkeeper’s head to the delight of the Partisans at Hard Rock Stadium.
Determined to keep putting on a show for his fans, Messi attempted a difficult jump shot in the final minutes of the game but missed the target. The crowd roared in agreement nonetheless.
Next up is another friendly for Argentina, this time against Jamaica on Tuesday in New Jersey.
Two-time world champions Argentina are among the favorites to win it all in Qatar and play their first group game against Saudi Arabia on 22 November.