BEIJING — Lionel Messi acquired hugged by a fan who ran onto the sphere carrying a No. 10 Argentina shirt Thursday throughout a 2-0 pleasant win over Australia through which the World Cup champion scored the quickest purpose of his profession.
Messi was standing close to the nook flag within the second half when the fan ran onto the sphere and embraced him. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner seemed to be shocked because the fan approached, however then put his arm across the interloper’s again earlier than safety guards rapidly moved in.
The fan bolted throughout the sphere and high-fived Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on the opposite finish earlier than doubling again throughout the grass and tripping. The invader was finally carried off the sphere.
Moments later, Messi helped arrange the second purpose for German Pezzella within the 68th minute on the Worker’s Stadium in Beijing.
Earlier, Messi had scored with virtually his first contact, solely every week after deciding to go away Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami.
Emerging to huge cheers from the Chinese followers, a lot of them carrying the well-known blue-and-white nationwide staff shirts, Messi scored after 1 minute, 19 seconds in Argentina’s third sport since beating France within the World Cup ultimate in December.
PHOTOS: Lionel Messi scores, will get hugged by a fan throughout Argentina’s 2-0 win over Australia
Australia midfielder Mathew Leckie slipped inside his personal half, permitting Enzo Fernandez to feed Messi, who stepped round Aiden O’Neill on the sting of the world and curled the ball previous the diving Mat Ryan.
Messi got here shut once more minutes later however Australia quickly labored itself into the match, very like it did within the 2-1 loss to Argentina on the World Cup in Qatar. Mitch Duke’s shot was pushed onto the submit by Martinez.
Messi then had one other probability earlier than halftime however the 35-year-old ahead shot over with solely the goalkeeper to beat.
In the second half, Messi once more went shut, this time from a free kick within the sixty fifth minute. He was then concerned in his staff’s second purpose, passing the ball close to the nook flag to Rodrigo De Paul, who crossed for Pezzella to move house.
A short while later, Messi discovered Julian Alvarez within the space however his low shot was pushed previous the submit by the diving Ryan.
Argentina will subsequent journey to Jakarta to face Indonesia on Monday, whereas Australia will face England in October because it prepares for the Asian Cup in Qatar in January.
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