Argentina won 2-1 in the pre-quarterfinal match against Australia. It was Messi who scored the first goal of the match to put Argentina ahead. Messi surpassed Diego Maradona’s record of scoring a goal against Australia.
Messi has surpassed Maradona’s goal total in the World Cup. Maradona has scored eight goals for Argentina in the World Cup. Messi is ahead of Maradona with nine goals to his name. Messi is followed by Gabriel Batistuta with 10 goals.
He achieved this feat in the 1000th match of his professional career. It was also Messi’s first goal in the World Cup knockout stage. Messi has scored three goals for Argentina so far in that World Cup. The Australian defense was then seen sweating it out to lock Messi in. The Albicelastes’ pre-quarterfinal clash is against the Netherlands. The Dutch defeated the United States 3-1 to enter the quarterfinals.