Argentina and Australia locked horns in a round of 16 knockout fixture to decide the team that faces the Netherlands in the Quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with the Albiceleste coming out as 2-1 victors. Lionel Messi was a starter in this victory, with this game marking his 1000th professional senior appearance in the sport.
Opening the scoring in the game, the Argentine is now the joint-top scorer in the tournament with his 3 goals thus far. Messi completes his 1000th game after having had tenures with 3 different teams; FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and the Argentina National Team.
The famed number 10 has appeared 778 times for the Catalans, 169 for his national team, and 53 times for his new Parisian side. During this time, he has accumulated 1136 goal contributions, having scored 789 goals and having successfully set up his teammates 348 times.
The magician from Rosario is potentially now playing his last ever FIFA World Cup, aged 35, and having hinted at it himself, he sees himself having surpassed Diego Maradona for the most appearances at the tournament, being on 23 appearances following his game against Australia in the recent match.
