#2 Argentina vs. Panama, 10 June 2016
Against Panama, La Albiceleste once again started without their captain and lacked composure despite leading 1-0. Once again the ‘Messi’ chants were on the rise as 60,000 odd people inside the Soldier Stadium in Chicago, cried for his introduction.
Messi was finally introduced to the match in the 65th minute so as to bring some calm to the nervy Argentine proceedings. His introduction was met with a wide round of applause and suddenly there was a sense of anticipation within the crowd that something special was on the cards.
The next 18 minutes that followed were every bit as magical as it was mesmerizing.
Chicago witnessed the diminutive Argentine at his best, as he produced a remarkable 18-minute hat-trick to dismantle Panama and secure a 5-0 win for Argentina. Each of his three goals were a thing of beauty and had every bit of class that one associates with him.
Messi had just started to stamp his class over the tournament and in the United States, his magic had just begun.
