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Lionel Messi was back at his devastating best as he scored twice to lead Argentina to a 2-0 win over Peru in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday night.
The Inter Miami star scored twice in the first half – both superb left-footed strikes from around the edge of the penalty box – as his side strengthened their position in first place in South American qualifying.
The 36-year-old was recently sidelined for Inter Miami with a scar tissue problem but now appears to be back to his very best and played the full 90 minutes for Argentina.
The 36-year-old put the world champions ahead in the 32nd minute with a superb shot after an assist from Nicolas Gonzalez, and made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later with a fierce finish from Enzo Fernandez’s pass.
Lionel Messi scored twice for Argentina on Tuesday night a 2-0 victory against Peru
‘Another important win in Lima to keep moving together,’ Messi wrote on Instagram after the game. Let’s go!’.
His Argentina coach Luis Scaloni could barely believe the standard of display he had seen from Messi, given his recent injury concerns.
‘I saw Messi as if he had not been injured or stopped,’ Scaloni said. ‘
Messi came on as a substitute in Thursday’s 1-0 win over Paraguay but was on the pitch from the start of the game in Lima.
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The two victories see Argentina lead the South American World Cup qualifying group by five points ahead of Uruguay, Brazil and Venezuela – all three are tied for second.
Messi’s Miami team have failed to reach the post-season playoffs in Major League Soccer and have just two games remaining this season, both against Charlotte, on Wednesday and Saturday night.
It is unclear if Messi will feature at the weekend but given Argentina play Uruguay and Brazil next month in the next stage of World Cup qualifying.?
Miami also recently announced they would play two friendlies in China on November 5 and November 8.
Messi looked back to his best after missing some recent Inter Miami games through injury
Messi wheels away in celebration after scoring his second goal of the game against Peru
While not competitive games, it still gives Messi some minutes to stay sharp before two crucial games for his country.
But after that, Messi will have time to rest ahead of the 2024 MLS season starting in March.
‘The most important thing is that he is healthy,’ coach Scaloni added. ‘The minutes are going to be managed by him alone.’
