Lionel Messi achieved the primary milestone of his profession on Tuesday evening regardless of having nothing left to show.
Twenty-four hours after followers flooded his lodge room with cake and birthday needs, the Argentine star stepped onto the MetLife Stadium area as a rejuvenated 37-year-old.
And after toiling for almost your complete match, he and Argentina lastly received the win when Lautaro Martinez scored the profitable purpose on a rebound within the remaining moments to beat Chile 1-0 in New Jersey.
General, it was a victory for Argentina, though the win was diminished resulting from persistent Chilean strain.
Within the second half, substitute Martinez scored from a nook within the 88th minute to provide Argentina all three factors.
Lionel Messi of Argentina controls the ball in opposition to Chile at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday evening
A younger Argentine fan holds a Lionel Messi signal earlier than the CONMEBOL 2024 Copa America match Group A soccer match between Chile and Argentina
The primary half began off as a carefully contested affair, as you may anticipate from two nations who’ve confronted one another twice within the Copa America remaining.
Chile gave their opponents a quick scare after a formidable cross from Mauricio Isla however they initially regarded completely satisfied to surrender possession of the ball however got here underneath strain because the half wore on.
The primary signal of hazard got here within the twenty second minute – a warning shot from Julian Alvarez after Nico Gonzalez delivered a stunning cross into the field.
The Manchester Metropolis ahead's effort from contained in the field was weak and simply caught by Claudio Bravo, however Chile's frailties had been starting to indicate and Argentina smelled hazard.
They dominated the primary 45 minutes with 13 pictures whereas Chile managed 0.
Rodrigo de Paul shot from distance (failed) a number of occasions, whereas Alvarez additionally missed various possibilities, the very best of which got here when he head-butted a bouncing ball because the Chilean defence fell asleep.
Like his first effort from Gonzalez's feed, this opportunity was additionally simply neutralised by Bravo because it bounced off the bottom and into the 41-year-old's arms.
Messi, who had regained his senses after being fouled and left in a heap quickly after Alvarez's (earlier) miss, smashed a robust shot large of the submit from 30 yards within the thirty sixth minute.
However his most memorable second of the primary half wasn’t even that near the purpose.
Dario Osorio of Chile makes an attempt to dam a shot by Nicolás Tagliafico of Argentina
Argentine followers cheer forward of the CONMEBOL 2024 Copa America match Group A soccer match between Chile and Argentina
As soon as, selecting up the ball in midfield, he effortlessly skipped previous a number of defenders earlier than passing it to a teammate. It was the sort of second he has seen typically in his spectacular twenty years since debuting at 17, and on this case, one which left these within the press field clapping in delight.
However Argentina failed to interrupt the impasse earlier than the primary half.
Within the subsequent interval, La Albiceleste picked up the place they left off, with Messi creating the primary likelihood.
He drove the ball ahead from the center within the fiftieth minute and handed the ball to Nahuel Molina, who shot straight at Bravo.
A couple of minutes later, Lisandro Martinez discovered house from a set piece however couldn't get a foot on the ball.
Issues got here to a head when Gonzalez rattled the crossbar along with his left foot within the 61st minute. It was an indication of Argentina's frustration when he fouled his opponent instantly afterwards and the state of affairs started to vary quickly after.
Messi missed his greatest likelihood of the sport within the 68th minute when he fired a superbly balanced ball excessive, however the effort was dominated out for offside and Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez was quickly left sweating.
Chile lastly started to bore holes within the Argentina defence, and Rodrigo EcheverrÃa twice pressured Martinez into robust saves, giving the midfielder house close to the highest of the field.
However Argentina stored up the strain.
Messi, all the time audacious, was pressured to strive the Olimpico, which didn't fairly work, however Bravo needed to relent.
The following play noticed one other nook, a scramble across the field and a assured sidefoot end from Martinez, which Argentina deserved.
