BUENOS AIRES – World champions Argentina celebrated their homecoming with a 2-0 friendly victory over Panama in Buenos Aires, with Lionel Messi scoring his 800th career goal in the dying minutes of the match.
21-year-old Thiago Almada opened the scoring for Argentina, slotting home after Messi‘s free-kick had rebounded off the woodwork.
Messi then sealed the victory with a stunning free-kick of his own, becoming just the second player in history to reach the 800-goal mark.
It was a night of unbridled joy at the Monumental stadium, where 83,000 fans created an electric atmosphere. After the match, the party continued as every member of the World Cup-winning squad was given a replica trophy to lift.
“I always dreamt of this moment, being able to celebrate with you (the fans), being able to come to my country to lift a Copa America, a World Cup. It’s the best thing there is,” said Messi.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was also emotional after the victory. “I am eternally grateful to this group of players. Football is theirs, it belongs to all those that wear this jersey,” he said.
Despite fielding a weakened side, Panama managed to frustrate the new world champions for 78 minutes before their defence was finally breached.
Argentina, who started the game playing champagne football, created relatively little given their 73 percent possession in the first period.
In the second half, Argentina knuckled down to trying to win a football match, but Guerra was twice equal to Messi free-kicks and also saved a low curling effort from veteran Angel Di Maria.
The tension rose as the minutes ticked by, with Argentina aware that their party risked falling flat if they did not win. But eventually, Messi sealed the deal with his stunning free-kick, and the stadium erupted in celebration.
No one left as the players, accompanied by partners and children, embarked on a lap of honor, each clutching their own replica trophy.
“I always feel the support of the people, I know how much they love the national team and how much they want us to win,” said Messi. “We gave everything we had, and we managed to win. That’s all that matters.”
