Lionel Messi in the artillery dome of Argentina

Lionel Messi delivered again for his country, scoring in the 1,000th game of his career, which defined an era. The Argentine star achieved his first goal in the Eliminatory stage of a World Cup. Argentina beat Australia 2-1, and incidentally, got a ticket to the quarterfinals.

With a touch of his famous left foot in the 35th minute, Messi put Argentina ahead with his third goal of this year’s tournament and ninth overall in a World Cup, one more than Diego Maradona, one less than Gabriel Batistuta.

The Australians resisted, tried and avoided a thrashing against. The second goal for the Albiceleste was from Julián Álvarez at 57′. Australia’s comeback in the last 20 minutes was as moving as it was unexpected, when Enzo Fernández scored in the 77th minute. The only time Australia reached the round of 16 was in 2006, when the team lost to eventual champions Italy. The Australians will have to keep trying for the next World Cup. Argentina fully recovered from their shock loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening group match and have won three straight games.

As for Messi, he now has 789 goals in a career that could yet reach a climax on December 18 by winning soccer’s biggest trophy in his fifth and likely final World Cup.

The dream lives on for the seven-time World Player of the Year and the tens of thousands of Argentine fans who dominated the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, massively outnumbering the small groups of Australian fans clad in green and gold to make it feel like a game in Buenos Aires. Aires or Rosario.

“All of Argentina would like to be here, but it is not possible. This bond, this union that we have, is beautiful,” Messi said.

deportes@eleconomista.mx