Lionel Messi just played his first game for
Argentina since picking up a 3 months ban during the Copa America. It was a
feisty friendly encounter in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with two penalties awarded
in the opening 15 minutes - one for Argentina and one for Brazil - but both
didn't result in goals as both Messi and Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus
failed to score. Jesus hit the ball several feet wide of Argentina keeper
Esteban Andrada's left post. Messi's penalty kick was poor as well, and was
saved by a grounded Alisson.
Messi however wasted no time in making up for the
miss by scoring the winning goal of the game in the 14th minute of play. This
was Messi's first goal against Brazil since an international friendly played in
2012 in which he netted a hat-trick. Messi has now scored 69 goals in 137
appearances for La Albiceleste. Alisson was Brazil's best player at
the tournament, with 7 stops and saving Messi's penalty. Overall, Argentina
were the better side.
Argentina is
to face Uruguay on Monday in Tel Aviv, Israel. However, they are yet to confirm
their participation with a recent escalation of violence in Gaza.
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