Messi drives down the left wing and draws a foul, winning a free kick for Argentina in an advanced wide position.

Messi carries the ball into the attacking half and is brought down, earning another free kick in a dangerous area.

Messi receives a pass from Javier Mascherano and shoots left‑footed from the centre of the box, his effort flashing just wide to the right.

Messi slips a precise pass through to Sergio Agüero, whose left‑footed shot from the centre of the box is saved low to the bottom right corner.

Messi steps up to the spot and coolly dispatches a left‑footed penalty into the bottom right corner, putting Argentina 2–0 ahead.

Messi tracks back into his own half, holds off pressure and is fouled, winning a free kick in Argentina’s defensive third.

Messi tries a right‑footed effort from outside the box but his shot is blocked by the Paraguayan defence.

From Éver Banega’s cross, Messi rises for a header in the centre of the box, but his goalbound attempt is blocked.

Messi latches onto Javier Pastore’s pass and strikes right‑footed from the centre of the box, forcing a save low to the bottom right corner.

Drifting wide left, Messi angles a left‑footed shot from a tight angle that whistles just wide of the far post.

Messi unleashes a left‑footed strike from outside the box after a layoff from Éver Banega, but his attempt is blocked before it can test the keeper.