Messi swings in a precise cross from a set piece, finding Marcos Rojo in the middle of the box for Argentina’s opener. Rojo finishes with a left‑footed shot into the bottom left corner to make it 1–0.

Messi slips a pass to Javier Pastore in the center of the box, but Pastore’s left‑footed effort is saved in the middle of the goal. The move shows Messi orchestrating another dangerous attack.

Messi combines with Javier Pastore on the edge of the area and lays the ball off for him to strike. Pastore drills a right‑footed shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner to put Argentina 2–0 up.

From a direct free kick, Messi unleashes a left‑footed shot from outside the box that flies just too high over the bar. It’s a dangerous effort that narrowly misses the target.

Messi drives forward in the attacking half and is fouled as he tries to break through, winning a free kick for Argentina. His close control draws Paraguayan defenders into a mistimed challenge.

Again Messi’s movement and ball control in the attacking half force Paraguay into a foul, earning another free kick. His persistent pressure keeps Argentina camped high up the pitch.

Messi takes another direct free kick from outside the box, curling a left‑footed shot that comes close but just misses the top left corner. The effort has the goalkeeper beaten but drifts wide.

On the right wing, Messi is brought down after advancing with the ball, winning a free kick in a wide attacking position. His driving run forces Paraguay’s defense to commit another foul.

Messi threads a pass into the box for Javier Pastore, whose right‑footed shot from close range is turned away at the bottom right corner. Messi’s vision carves open Paraguay’s defense yet again.

From a set‑piece situation, Lucas Biglia crosses into the box where Messi meets it with a header that goes just wide to the left. The chance highlights Messi’s presence in the air despite being closely marked.

Messi receives a pass from Javier Pastore in the center of the box and shoots left‑footed toward the bottom right corner, but the goalkeeper saves. It’s a clear chance that further underlines his dominance.

Messi splits the Paraguayan defense with a sharp through ball into the box, releasing Gonzalo Higuaín. Higuaín finishes with a left‑footed shot into the top left corner to make it 6–1 for Argentina.