LionelMessi scored a hat-trick to overtake Pele as the top international goalscorer in South American football history. Messi IOLSport
Brazilian authorities stopped the game after protesting at the involvement of England-based players Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero of Tottenham, and Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia.
There was no sign of a hangover from the controversy amongst Argentina's players on Thursday, as Messi quickly took centre stage to surpass Brazilian great Pele's record in style.Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez, who also had a first-half goal ruled out for offside should have scored after being set up by Messi with a glorious chance on 39 minutes, dragging his shot wide from close range.
The win leaves the two-time World Cup winners second in South America's overall qualifying standings with 18 points from eight games, six points behind leaders Brazil, who maintained their 100 percent qualifying record on Thursday with a 2-0 win over Peru in Recife.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
R22bn and counting as Sanlam breaks death claim records | Fin24Sanlam has paid R22 billion in death claims since the beginning of 2020. The insurer paid R10 billion in mortality claims in the first six months of 2021 alone. | Fin24
Read more »
Pele says he is doing well after surgeryBrazilian football legend Pele said he is doing well after undergoing surgery for a suspected colon tumor. Pele IOLSport
Read more »
Islamists routed by liberal parties in Morocco: provisional resultsThe Justice and Development Party (PJD) which headed the ruling coalition for a decade saw its support collapse from 125 seats in the outgoing assembly to just 12, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit said.
Read more »
Vermeulen, De Klerk back for Boks; Kolbe out of Wallabies TestThere are several changes to the side that played back-to-back Tests against Argentina.
Read more »
Beef exporter Brazil backs methane-busting feedAdditive slashes methane emissions from cattle
Read more »