The mighty Lionel Messi once again rose to the occasion with his first ever goal in the knockout stage of a World Cup, which spurred Argentina into the quarterfinals after beating Australia 2-1 in the Round of 16 match at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Sunday.
On his 1,000th professional game, Messi with a flourish of his famous left foot in the 34th minute, Messi put Argentina ahead with his third goal at this year's tournament and ninth in total at the World Cup — one more than Diego Maradona.
Messi was adjudged the Player of the Match for his stellar show. Beside his stunning goal, fans are tripping over Messi's million dollar reaction after watching his family going bonkers while celebrating his charismatic goal against Australia.
During the post-match interview, he was shown a clip from the game, where one can spot Messi’s family members celebrating his goal. Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and the couple’s three children, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, were present at the stadium, and a clip of their wild celebration along with other members of the family after Messi’s goal went viral and has taken the internet by storm.
Here's the video…
Messi opened the scoring in Argentina's 2-1 win against Australia at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Saturday, with Julian Alvarez doubling the lead before an Enzo Fernandez own goal caused some late nerves.
Only Gabriel Batistuta (10) has scored more World Cup goals for La Albiceleste than Messi's nine, and the captain praised the efforts of travelling fans as his team advanced to face the Netherlands in the last eight.
"I am very happy for taking another step forward and achieving another objective," Messi said at a post-match press conference. "[Australia] were very strong and it was a difficult match, we knew it would be this way.
"We played very recently and didn't have much time to rest up, so we were concerned as we knew it would be a very physical match. Luckily we found the goal, and then at two goals ahead it was easier for us.
"I am very happy to share these beautiful moments with all the fans, I know the efforts they have made to be here with us in every match. The whole of Argentina would like to be here," Messi further added.
Messi made his 169th appearance for Argentina, to go with 778 at Barcelona and 53 at Paris Saint-Germain. To date, he has 789 goals and 338 assists across those 1,000 games, and Australia were the 129th team he has scored against in his career.
"This bond or union that we have with the fans is something beautiful, and that's what the national team should be," Messi said.
"We were excited and eager to be together with the people again. It's unbelievable, the passion and energy they transmit," he added.
