The Top 10 Best Lionel Messi Goals for Argentina as He Reaches 100 Goals Mark

Lionel Messi’s Hat Trick Helps Argentina Seal 7-0 Win in Friendly Against Curacao

Lionel Messi has once again soared past a career milestone by scoring a hat trick and paving the way for Argentina’s thumping 7-0 win against Curacao. The opening goal of the match also marked his 100th senior goal for Argentina, and he scored two more inside 17 minutes before the interval. This achievement extended his lead over Gabriel Batistuta as his country’s all-time top scorer.

In addition to his international success, Messi has scored 800 career goals for club and country, with his 93rd goal being a crucial catalyst in Argentina’s victory against Mexico in the 2022 World Cup group stage. As we marvel at Messi’s achievements, let’s take a look at some of the best goals he has scored in Argentina’s blue and white striped shirt since his debut in 2005.

10. Croatia 3-2 Argentina, Friendly (2006): International goal No. 1
Messi’s first senior international goal for Argentina came on his sixth appearance when he curled a clipped shot inside the far post, which has since become an iconic finish among his fans worldwide.

9. Argentina 1-0 Iran, World Cup (2014): International goal No. 40
Argentina were in danger of being hopelessly frustrated by Iran in the World Cup group stage tie, with 90 minutes on the clock and stoppage time beginning to fade. Then came Messi, who scored a stunning injury-time winner that sent Argentina to the knockout stages.

8. Argentina 1-0 Nigeria, World Cup (2018): International goal No. 65
Messi scored the only goal of the game against a dogged Nigeria team, sending Argentina through to the knockout phase of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. This solo effort proved to be his only goal at the tournament as the Albiceleste were knocked out in the round of 16.

7. United States 0-4 Argentina, Copa America Centenario (2016): International goal No. 55
Messi scored an exquisite free kick into the top corner from 25 yards and laid on two assists in a 4-0 win over the United States in the semifinal of the Copa America Centenario in Houston. This goal saw Messi overtake Batistuta as his national side’s new all-time record goal scorer.

6. Argentina 3-0 Mexico, Copa America (2007): International goal No. 6
Argentina thrust themselves into the final of the Copa America 2007, propelled in part by Messi’s brilliant goal — an impudent lob from 18 yards out scored on the hour mark.

5. Argentina 1-0 Brazil, Friendly (2010): International goal No. 15
Messi’s first international goal against Brazil came at the fifth attempt and also proved to be the difference between the two sides as they met for an exhibition friendly in Doha, Qatar. The magic moment came in the 92nd minute.

4. Ecuador 1-3 Argentina, World Cup qualification (2017): International goals No. 59, 60 and 61
Argentina were on the brink of missing out on reaching the World Cup when they fell behind against Ecuador in a crucial qualifier in Quito. However, one clutch hat trick from Messi later, and they were in the draw for Russia 2018.

3. Argentina 4-3 Brazil, Friendly (2012): International goal No. 26
Messi scored a hat trick as Argentina stormed to victory over their great rivals in a seven-goal spectacular at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Messi’s third goal was the match winner and was picked up from close to the halfway line, way out on the right flank.

2. Argentina 3-0 Colombia, World Cup qualification (2016): International goal No. 57
Needing a win to resurrect their faltering World Cup qualification campaign, Messi took just nine minutes to open the scoring in San Juan with a brilliant direct free kick, which ultimately helped bring Argentina’s dismal four-match winless run to an end.

1. Argentina 2-0 Mexico, World Cup (2022): International goal No. 93
Despite scoring several goals in the final itself, Messi’s goal against Mexico in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup is possibly the most critical of his career. Having slumped to a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening game, Argentina desperately needed a catalyst against Mexico. True enough, Messi drove home the opener, lit the fuse under his countrymen, and the rest is era-defining history as they went on to lift the trophy.



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