Argentina’s streak continues with a victory over Jamaica, giving Lionel Messi access to the 100 Club

Argentina defeated Jamaica 3-0 in a pre-World Cup friendly to move closer to Italy’s historic unbroken run thanks in large part to two goals from Lionel Messi, who celebrated his 100th international victory.
In a World Cup preliminaries friendly on Tuesday in New Jersey, Argentina defeated Jamaica 3-0, with two goals from Lionel Messi to celebrate his 100th international triumph and move closer to Italy’s record-breaking unbeaten run. After entering the game at the Red Bull Arena as a replacement in the second half, superstar PSG forward Messi increased his total number of goals for his country to 90 in 164 appearances.
Messi’s goals capped a convincing victory for the South Americans, who have gone 35 games without a loss in a streak that began in 2019. Italy’s 37-game unbeaten streak from 2018 to 2012, which is the current world record, is just two games away.

Messi, who also scored twice against Honduras in a friendly match on Friday in Miami, thrilled the crowd with an electric cameo after replacing Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan in the 56th minute.

In the 86th minute, he scored his first goal of the game, racing forward and slipping a shot under Andre Blake of Jamaica.

The 35-year-old seven-time Ballon D’Or winner then produced an impish second goal, craftily curling a low shot underneath the Jamaican wall into the bottom corner from a free-kick.

The presence of Messi sent the fans into a frenzy. On three separate occasions, fans raced onto the field to get closer to the Argentine legend.

Before being shoved to the ground by security, a shirtless fan tried to get Messi to sign his back.
Argentina, led by Lionel Scaloni, put on another assured performance, with Messi’s late double capping it off. Argentina is now one of the favourites to win the World Cup in Qatar in November.

A one-sided first half had been controlled by the Argentinians, who took the lead on minute 13 when Martinez jinked past Damion Lowe of Jamaica and cut back for Julian Alvarez of Manchester City, who tucked away a low finish from close range.
Soon after, Alvarez almost got a second but curled his attempt just wide.

Midfielder Guido Rodriguez also came close, but his volley over the crossbar from the back post was off target. In the 33rd minute, Giovani Lo Celso also came close to scoring with a long-range shot that missed the top corner.