“From a tight second-half angle against Algeria, Messi calmly shapes his run across the box and threads a low finish just inside the far post to double Argentina’s World Cup group-stage lead, marking his 120th international goal and 200th cap with career strike number 913.”
Pedro’s cross sits up awkwardly and Messi meets it with a crisp right-foot half-volley that rockets through the crowded box to make it 3–0 in his Levante hat-trick, bringing him to 268 La Liga goals and 435 in his career.
With Barcelona pegged back at 1–1 in a Champions League quarter-final, Messi latches onto Pedro’s assist to restore the lead against Arsenal, the second act of a four-goal masterclass that drives him toward career goal 130.
Against Bolivia in World Cup qualifying, Messi’s second of the night turns a narrow 1–0 lead into a commanding 2–0 cushion, doubling Argentina’s control while quietly marking his 750th career goal and 25th strike in World Cup qualifiers.
Dani Alves threads the assist for Messi to stretch Barcelona’s lead over APOEL to 3–0 in a dominant Champions League group display, completing the hat-trick and pushing him to 73 goals in the competition and 415 in his career.