Lionel Messi and Thiago Almada both scored for the World champions Argentina in their 2-0 win vs. Panama.

Messi scored right before the end of the match as the Monumental errupted but it was 0-0 going into half time. Lionel Scaloni’s team created many goal scoring chances in the first half, including a Lionel Messi free kick which hit the crossbar but they were unable to find the back of the net in the first half.

The second half started with three substitutions. Lautaro Martínez was brought on for Julián Álvarez, Lisandro Martínez on for Nicolás Otamendi and Thiago Almada on for Alexis Mac Allister.

With the score still at 0-0 in the second half, Scaloni made three more changes. Paulo Dybala for Ángel Di María, Leandro Paredes for Enzo Fernández and Marcos Acuña on for Nicolás Tagliafico.

Argentina could have had two penalty kicks in the second half. The first was a trip on Tagliafico and the second was a foul on Paulo Dybala.

For the second time in the match, a Lionel Messi free kick hit the cross bar but the effort would lead to a goal. With the ball bouncing off the crossbar and falling to Paredes, it would then land on Thiago Almada and he would score his first goal for Argentina.

Scaloni’s team were leading 1-0 and creating more opportunities and the world’s best player would get his goal. It was another free kick and another Lionel Messi effort.

The best player in the world would not be denied and his effort would find the back of the net for Argentina’s second goal of the match, his first as a world champion for his country.

That goal was Messi’s 800th goal in his career and he is now on 99 goals with the Argentina national team.

THIAGO ALMADA’S FIRST GOAL FOR ARGENTINA! Via @TV_Publica. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/QS6Ium9Abr

— Mundo Albiceleste ⭐🌟⭐🇦🇷 (@MundoAlbicelest) March 24, 2023

LIONEL MESSI’S FREE KICK GOAL FOR ARGENTINA! Via @TV_Publica. 🐐🇦🇷pic.twitter.com/zZb836PEZF

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) March 24, 2023