Lionel Messi (1st L) of Argentina competes during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi opened the scoreline early, steering Argentina to a 2-0 victory over Australia in an international friendly held at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing Thursday evening.
Only two minutes into the match, Messi intercepted a cross at the top of the penalty area. He dribbled past a defender before dispatching a curling left-foot shot into the net.
Substitute Pezzella augmented the lead to 2-0 in the 68th minute, directing a header into the middle of the goal box.
Both teams put up an exhilarating match that kept the spectators on their toes until the final whistle.
The friendly match attracted more than 50,000 Chinese football fans to the stadium.
During the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Argentina secured a 2-1 victory over Australia in the Round of 16. ■
Jamie Maclaren (C) of Australia vies with Marcos Acuna (L) and Cristian Romero of Argentina during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
A pitch-invading fan (L) hugs Lionel Messi of Argentina during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Lionel Messi (R) of Argentina vies with Keanu Baccus of Australia during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Fans watch an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Lionel Messi (2nd R) of Argentina enters the pitch ahead of an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Lionel Messi of Argentina is seen during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Players of Argentina celebrate the goal of German Pezzella during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
Fans film an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Players of Argentina celebrate the goal of German Pezzella during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
German Pezzella of Argentina celebrates his goal during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Angel di Maria (2nd L) of Argentina is substituted by Giovani lo Celso (C) during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Lionel Messi (L) of Argentina competes during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Players of Argentina celebrate the goal of German Pezzella during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Rodrigo de Paul of Argentina is seen during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Lionel Messi of Argentina gestures during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Lionel Messi of Argentina gestures during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Lionel Messi (2nd R) of Argentina celebrates his goal during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Lionel Messi of Argentina competes during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
Lionel Messi (4th L) of Argentina celebrates his goal during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Jordan Bos (front) of Australia vies with Rodrigo de Paul of Argentina during an international football invitational between Argentina and Australia in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Chen)
