Argentina continued their stellar performance in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over Peru, led by the talismanic Lionel Messi.
The Inter Miami star showcased his brilliance by scoring two crucial goals, increasing his international goal tally to an impressive 106.
Messi’s goals came in the 32nd and 42nd minutes of the match at Lima’s Estadio Nacional. His first-half brace not only sealed victory for Argentina but also solidified their position at the top of the South American qualifying table.
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The reigning world champions now boast 12 points from four games, putting them five points ahead of Uruguay, Brazil, and Venezuela, each with seven points.
The Argentine superstar, who was back in the starting lineup after a brief appearance off the bench in their previous 1-0 win against Paraguay, displayed no signs of the injuries that had limited his recent appearances in Major League Soccer.
Messi’s first goal, scored just after the half-hour mark, was a thunderous strike that left no chance for the opposing team.
He followed it up with a second goal ten minutes later, capitalizing on a well-executed play by Enzo Fernandez down the left flank.
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This victory keeps Argentina firmly on course to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals, a tournament set to expand to include 48 teams. These finals will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The top six teams in South America’s 10-team qualifying competition will secure their places in the prestigious event, reaffirming Argentina’s aspirations to defend their world champion status.