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The FIFA World Cup is just a day away from getting going, and it is time to take a look at Lionel Messi's five goals for Argentina in the tournament. Argentina arrives in Russia as a candidate, both for its history and Messi's goalscoring capacity.
Since his first goal in Germany against Serbia and Montenegro to his brace versus Nigeria in Brazil, let's take a look at Messi's goalscoring ability in the most important tournament in international football.
In Messi's three trips to the World Cup with the Albiceleste, he has scored five goals in fifteen games. His first goal was in Germany in 2006 as an 18-year-old, then after not scoring in South Africa in 2010, he was able to score four times in the Group Stage and was the key member in Argentina's runner-up effort in Brazil four years ago.
Let's start with the exciting list:
#5 Argentina versus Serbia and Montenegro- Germany 2006
Messi's first goal under the World Cup umbrella came in the Group Stage of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Serbia and Montenegro was the first squad to suffer Messi in the competition.
The game, played at Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, finished 6-0 in Argentina's favour and Messi's goal was the sixth for the José Néstor Pékerman-led squad. Carlos Tévez assisted the magical Argentinian for his first goal in an official tournament with the Argentinian National team, and his second overall (his first goal for Argentina was in March 2006 in an International Friendly against Croatia).
Serbia and Montenegro goalkeeper Dragoslav Jevrić was Messi's first "victim" in the FIFA World Cup. However, Messi had to wait eight years to find another goalkeeper to beat in the most prominent tournament in sports.
Although Messi's talent made him an interesting piece for Barcelona's coach Frank Rijkaard in the 2005/06 season (in which Barcelona won the Spanish League and the UEFA Champions League title), Pekerman did not give Messi a lot of minutes during the World Cup in Germany.
In fact, Messi's image sitting on the bench while Argentina fell to hosts Germany in the penalty shootouts in the quarterfinals will always be remembered by the Argentinian crowd.
#4 Argentina versus Nigeria- Brazil 2014
Messi's third goal in the 2014 World Cup was the opener against Nigeria in the last matchday of the Group Stage. The Argentinian number 10 picked up a rebound inside the box and slammed it into the net against his 2010 nemesis, Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
Argentina won that match 3-2 thanks to a brace from the Argentine magician.
The game took place in Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
With Argentina completing a perfect Group Stage, even though their playing style was not surprising, the foundation was set for the Argentinian National Team to challenge for the title with Messi as the leader. But Messi's fire slowed down as they advanced in the competition.
#3 Argentina versus Nigeria- Brazil 2014
Minutes after opening the score for Argentina versus Nigeria, the match was tied. But Messi wasn't ready to let Argentina's perfect run be snapped during the group stage.
In the last play of the first half, the Argentine master drew a perfect free-kick over the wall to let Nigerian 'keeper Enyeama helpless.
The goal was Messi's fourth in the 2014 World Cup, his fifth overall, and his last one, so far.
Argentina defeated the African side 3-2 and advanced to the round of 16 with a group-leading nine points.
#2 Argentina versus Bosnia and Herzegovina- Brazil 2014
After going scoreless in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Messi arrived in Brazil looking for the net, and the Argentine found it quickly.
Argentina's first match in the 2014 World Cup was against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Argentina got off to a hot start, with Sead Kolašinac scoring an own goal to give the lead to the Albiceleste after three minutes into the game.
Halfway through the second-half, and with the three points up for grab, it was Messi's time. The Rosario-born player scored a stunning goal after a great combination play with Gonzalo Higuaín to seal Argentina's win at the Maracanã.
Messi's shot was impossible to stop for the goalkeeper. The ball hit the post and went in to generate an explosion in the Argentinian crowd.
Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begović was Messi's second "victim" in World Cup action, but this time, he didn't need eight years to find his next client.
#1) Argentina versus Iran- Brazil 2014
Messi's best goal in the FIFA World Cup came in Matchday two of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Argentina played against a rough-defending Iran.
Iran's counter-attack gave Argentina all kinds of trouble, but Sergio Romero managed to maintain the Albiceleste's goal unbeaten. The game was winding down to the wire and looked like a sure draw until Messi had another idea.
A fantastic shot from Messi left Iranian 'keeper, Alireza Haghighi, with no chance as the ball hit the bottom of the net and helped continue Argentina's perfect run after two games in the group stage.
The goal was Messi's third in the World Cup, and it was the first time he was able to score in consecutive matches in international football's most prominent stage.
The game was played at Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
