Messi unleashes a left‑footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked by the Nicaragua defense. The effort comes early as Argentina probe from distance.

Messi makes a late run into the box and fires a left‑footed shot from the center of the area just wide to the right after a through ball from Lo Celso following a corner. It’s a clear chance that narrowly misses the target.

From outside the box, Messi strikes again with his left foot, but his shot is blocked before it can test the goalkeeper. Nicaragua continue to close him down quickly.

Messi opens the scoring, controlling in the center of the box and placing a left‑footed shot low into the bottom right corner. Lo Celso’s precise assist unlocks the Nicaragua defense.

Just a minute later, Messi doubles the lead with a close‑range left‑footed finish from very near the goal, calmly guiding the ball into the center of the net. Nicaragua’s defense is caught out by his quick reaction in the box.

At halftime Messi is substituted, with Paulo Dybala coming on to replace him after an influential 45‑minute display. Argentina protect their star forward ahead of upcoming matches.