Lionel Messi equals USMNT icon Landon Donovan’s record for most assists in international football while Argentina team-mate Lautaro Martinez matches Diego Maradona after stunning winning goal vs Peru
WHAT HAPPENED?
Messi drove into the Peru defence before lifting the ball into the middle of the visitors’ box, where Lautaro Martinez met it with a brilliant overhead kick to give the Albiceleste a 1-0 victory.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The assist is Messi’s 58th for the South American nation, putting him level with United States men’s national team legend Landon Donovan for the most assists at senior international level, 10 years after the American attacker retired. Lautaro’s goal, meanwhile, sees the Inter star match Diego Maradona’s goal tally of 32 for the national team.
DID YOU KNOW?
The game at Boca Juniors’ stadium in Buenos Aires was Messi’s last competitive match in 2024, and the victory moves his side five points clear at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table.
WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?
Messi will now enjoy a break until the new year, as his Inter Miami side were knocked out of the MLS playoffs when they went down 3-2 to Atlanta United in game three of their first-round matchup.
