19 October,2023 08:49 AM IST | Uruguay | AFP
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (centre) celebrates his goal with teammates Enzo Fernandez (left) and Rodrigo De Paul in Lima on Tuesday. Pic/AFP
Lionel Messi scored two goals as Argentina extended their perfect start to South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory over Peru. The Inter Miami star took his international goal tally to 106 with strikes in the 32nd and 42nd minutes at Lima's Estadio Nacional.
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Brazil's Neymar is stretchered off the field after suffering a knee injury during their World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on Tuesday. Pic/AFP
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Messi's first-half brace left reigning world champions Argentina on top of the South American qualifying table with 12 points from four games, five points clear of Uruguay, Brazil and Venezuela, who all have seven points. Restored to the starting line-up after coming off the bench in last Thursday's 1-0 win over Paraguay, Messi showed no sign of the injuries that have recently limited his appearances in Major League Soccer. While Argentina continued their serene progress through qualifying, arch-rivals Brazil suffered a nightmare 0-2 defeat in Montevideo, crashing to a first loss against Uruguay in 22 years.
Brazil's defeat was compounded by the sight of veteran forward Neymar being stretchered off just before half-time with what appeared to be a knee injury. Uruguay's Darwin Nunez struck with a bullet header on 42 minutes to open the scoring in a dour first half at the Estadio Centenario. The Liverpool striker then played a pivotal role in Uruguay's second, holding up the ball well from a throw-in and cutting back for Nicolas de la Cruz to fire past Brazil goalkeeper Ederson on 77 minutes, sealing a 2-0 victory. The win was Uruguay's first over Brazil in a World Cup qualifying fixture.
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