Beijing witnessed yet another mesmerizing performance by Lionel Messi, who led the world champions Argentina to a commanding 2-0 triumph over the resilient Socceroos (Australia).
Right from the kickoff, Messi wasted no time in making his mark on the friendly match, stunning the crowd with a lightning-fast goal just two minutes into the game. This remarkable strike, a beautifully curled shot beyond the reach of Maty Ryan, goes down as the fastest goal of Messi’s illustrious career.
Argentina dominated the opening 15 minutes, creating several scoring opportunities. However, Australia gradually found their footing and started counterattacking the Argentine side.
Midway through the first half, striker Mitch Duke came close to equalizing for the Socceroos, as his header from a well-placed cross by Riley McGree forced a remarkable save from Emiliano Martinez.
Both teams continued to create chances in a closely contested match, but it was Argentina who extended their lead. German Pezzella capitalized on some sloppy marking from the Australian defenders, powerfully heading home a precise cross from Rodrigo De Paul.
As the game progressed, Australia desperately pushed for a goal that would have injected excitement into the encounter. Nevertheless, Argentina’s resilient defense held strong, ultimately securing the victory. Throughout the match, Messi’s extraordinary skills and finesse delighted the capacity crowd at the Workers’ Stadium, leaving no doubt about his unrivaled class on the pitch.
