Messi at the double as Argentina streak continues with Jamaica defeat / Photo: © AFP
-
Nations commit to get nature goals back on track
-
OKC's Holmgren to miss at least eight weeks as Thunder injury woes deepen
-
US oil companies aim to squeeze more out of refineries
-
'Not very smart' - Verstappen slams Red Bull stable-mate after clash
-
Leclerc quickest in Mexico GP practice
-
Trump admin approves potential Patriot missiles sale to Ukraine
-
Polish riot police deployed as deposed court chief sets off crisis
-
Sun Goddess wins at Breeders' Cup, O'Brien leads Baffert
-
Young Canadians focus on mental health at key climate trial
-
Nations agree push to get nature goals on track
-
'Breath of fresh air' truce brings hope to Ukraine's ravaged Kherson
-
Leclerc shows practice pace as Antonelli prowls in Mexico
-
British king reflects on colonial atrocities in Guyana
-
Trump, Milei under pressure to explain Bolsonaro flight from Brazil
-
Nations agree crucial texts in overtime at UN nature summit
-
Hakimi bags hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain rip Le Havre to pieces
-
NBA Trail Blazers lose guard Morant for four weeks
-
Polish riot police deployed after court chief suspended
-
UN nature summit in extra time as nations grapple for deal
-
Emery's focus fully on Fulham despite Barcelona tie
-
Complaints upheld against Swiss TV commentary on Israeli bobsleigher
-
Reigning champs chase history in New York Marathon
-
Tielemans glad Man Utd sticking with Carrick
-
Monaco taken off global money-laundering 'grey list'
-
Scottish police probe Andrew, Epstein stay at royal castle: UK media
-
Canada, EU launch new alliance with deals on Ukraine, minerals, AI
-
Medvedev into Vienna semis and books ATP Finals place
-
Tears, fear, anger: relatives of Spain train crash dead await fate
-
UN nature talks in extra time as nations struggle to reach deal
-
Spurs get Maddison boost ahead of Palace clash
-
Meta settles, leaving Snap sole defendant in new social media trial
-
French authorities fear new street violence at Halloween protests
-
Chelsea manager Alonso dismisses talk of Estevao loan deal
-
Rickelton, Mulder centuries lift South Africa's chances in Test decider
-
Thousands of students, workers hold peaceful protests in Italy
-
Maresca adamant Donnarumma can be dropped but first name selected
-
Iraola glad to raise Liverpool fans' hopes but says hard work ahead
-
EU and Canada to 'withstand shocks together' with new alliance
-
Pope Leo makes history with US midterm vote
-
Flick praises Yamal 'mentality' after missing out on Ballon d'Or
-
Arsenal boss Arteta fires 'Disneyland' warning at Dowman after Fleetwood red card
-
Binance heist: How were cryptocurrency billions stolen?
-
Russia's ice hockey stars come in from the cold after CAS ruling
-
France boards up ahead of Halloween protests
-
Wall Street tech rout deepens on doubts over AI spending
-
Is Bukele's troop deployment in Haiti just a rescue mission?
-
'Life in the old dog': German economy grows more than expected
-
Relatives' anguish grows as Spain identifies train crash dead
-
England great Anderson asks what's 'wrong with me?' after Lancashire exit
-
Italy inflation surges to 5.4% as economy stalls
Messi at the double as Argentina streak continues with Jamaica defeat
Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina edged closer to Italy's world record unbeaten streak with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Jamaica in a World Cup warm-up friendly in New Jersey on Tuesday.
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi took his international goals tally to 90 in 164 appearances after coming on as a second-half substitute at the Red Bull Arena.
Messi's goals capped an emphatic win for the South Americans, who have now gone 35 games unbeaten in a streak stretching back to 2019 – just two shy of Italy’s world record unbeaten run of 37 set between 2018 and 2012.
Messi, who also scored twice during a friendly win over Honduras in Miami on Friday, delighted the crowd with an electrifying cameo after coming on in the 56th minute for Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez.
He bagged his first of the night in the 86th minute, darting forward before caressing a shot into the bottom corner past Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake.
The 35-year-old seven-time Ballon D’Or winner then produced an impish second goal, craftily curling a low shot underneath the Jamaican wall into the bottom corner from a free-kick.
Messi's presence left the crowd in a frenzy. On three different occasions spectators sprinted onto the pitch in an effort to get close to the Argentinian icon.
One shirtless fan attempted to get Messi to autograph his back before he was bundled to the floor by security staff.
Messi's late double crowned another assured performance from Lionel Scaloni's Argentina, who are rapidly emerging as one of the favourites for the World Cup in Qatar in November.
The Argentinians had dominated throughout a one-sided first half, and took the lead on 13 minutes when Martinez jinked past Jamaica's Damion Lowe and cut back for Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, who tucked away a low finish from close range.
Alvarez almost had a second soon afterwards but curled his shot just wide.
Midfielder Guido Rodriguez also went close, but was unable to direct his volley at the back post on target, instead shooting over the bar.
Giovani Lo Celso also threatened with a long-range effort that flew just wide of the top corner in the 33rd minute.
M.Ouellet--BTB
