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Lionel Messi Wows Fans as Argentina Beat Australia in 2022 World Cup

Lionel Messi further cemented his legendary status Saturday, as his goal in the first half helped Argentina defeat Australia 2-1 in the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Playing in his 1,000th career match, Messi made magic again, sneaking a ball through multiple defenders and past goalkeeper Mathew Ryan with his left foot in the 35th minute:

FOX Soccer

MESSI MAGIC u2728ud83cudde6ud83cuddf7<br><br>That's the first knockout stage goal in Messi's FIFA World Cup career <a href="https://t.co/wyzfdVfby3">pic.twitter.com/wyzfdVfby3</a>

The goal was historic for many reasons, at it marked Messi's first in the World Cup knockout rounds, put him past Diego Maradona for the second-most goals by an Argentine at the World Cup and gave him 789 career goals across all competitions:

B/R Football

LEO MESSI SCORES HIS FIRST WORLD CUP KNOCKOUT GOAL ud83cudde6ud83cuddf7 <a href="https://t.