Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi scored the fastest goal of his international career as he netted only after 79 seconds against Australia at the Workers Stadium, in Beijing on Thursday. Messi admitted the conditions were hot but they always enjoy being with the national team.
German Pezzella scored in the 68th minute of play through a free header for the World Champions as Argentina completed a dominating win against Australia.
Messi scored in the early stage of the game and delighted Argentina fans in Beijing with his strike. The talisman has now scored in seven straight games for La Albiceleste and has been in superb form for Lionel Scaloni’s team.
“We always enjoy being with the national team,” Messi said as quoted by Reuters. “It was complicated to play because of the heat and humidity, but beyond everything, we continued with the same idea.”
Meanwhile, Messi has a huge fan following in China and the same was palpable with the way the stadium was filled with Argentina’s shirts.
The 68,000-capacity stadium was filled with a sea of blue and white as the fans wanted to catch a glimpse of their hero.
“I can’t see any yellow shirts anywhere,” Australia coach Graham Arnold said before the match.
“I just really hope Lionel Messi gets a little percentage of the shirt sales because I’ve never seen so many Argentine number 10 shirts in my life!”
Meanwhile, Messi has decided to move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer after his two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain ended.
Messi also had offers from his former club Barcelona and a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal but he decided to confirm his new contract with Inter Miami.