Messi masterclass as he gets Argentina’s World Cup qualification bid back on track
Barcelona superstar scores majestic free-kick and sets up two other goals in win over Colombia
Lionel Messi scored a majestic free-kick and set up two more goals as Argentina got their faltering 2018 World Cup qualification campaign back on track with a 3-0 win over Colombia.
Barcelona maestro Messi curled in a superb free-kick from 30 yards in the 10th minute before providing the cross for Lucas Pratto’s 23rd minute header.
The tireless Messi then popped up in the 84th minute to set up Angel Di Maria’s late goal as Argentina secured all three points.
The two-time world champions had taken just two points from their previous four games to leave themselves languishing just outside the qualification berths in South America’s marathon qualifying tournament.
But Tuesday’s victory puts Argentina back into the qualification positions in fifth place with six games remaining.
Beaten 3-0 by Brazil last week, Messi and his team-mates came out determined to prevent Colombia from registering their first win on Argentine soil since 1993.