Messi Hat-Trick: 100 Goals, 200 Caps, 7-0 Rout
Some legends age like fine wine, and Argentine superstar Lionel Messi proved he remains the Greatest of All Time as he led Argentina to a 7-0 demolition of Curaçao with a masterclass in touch football. In his 200th appearance for La Albiceleste, Messi scored a hat-trick to become only the third male player to surpass 100 international goals, exactly 20 years after his first World Cup goal.
- Result: Argentina 7-0 Curaçao
- Venue: Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero
- Date: June 16, 2026
- Key Moment: Messi’s hat-trick, 100th international goal
Messi’s Magical Night: Hat-Trick and Century
Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a thunderous strike from distance. A quick free-kick from Rodrigo De Paul found Messi in midfield, and the captain surged forward before unleashing a shot that brushed the fingertips of the goalkeeper and crashed into the top corner. It was a goal that set the tone for the evening.
His second came in the first half after a clever disguised pass from Messi freed Nico Gonzalez down the left. Gonzalez’s cross was cleared to Alexis Mac Allister, whose shot from range was parried into a dangerous area. Messi, positioning himself with predatory instinct, tapped in the rebound for one of the easiest goals of his career.
The hat-trick was completed in the 76th minute. Messi started the move with a mazy dribble in the centre circle before releasing the ball wide to Gonzalez. The substitute took a touch and laid it back to Messi on the edge of the box. What followed was inevitable: the Argentine legend curled a low drive into the bottom corner, sealing his hat-trick and his 100th international goal.
Key Player Stats
| Player | Goals | Assists | Shots | Pass Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 3 | 1 | 5 | 92% |
| Nico Gonzalez | 1 | 2 | 3 | 85% |
| Alexis Mac Allister | 0 | 1 | 2 | 88% |
What’s Next for Argentina?
After this emphatic friendly win, Argentina will turn their attention to the upcoming Copa América, where they will defend their title. Messi’s form suggests he remains the focal point of the team, and with a squad blending youth and experience, La Albiceleste are strong contenders. The victory also serves as a confidence booster ahead of World Cup qualifiers later this year.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch Argentina’s future matches live on TyC Sports in Argentina, ESPN+ in the US, and Sky Sports in the UK. For streaming, FanCode and JioCinema provide coverage in India. Check local listings for broadcast details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many international goals does Lionel Messi have now?
With his hat-trick against Curaçao, Messi surpassed 100 international goals, joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Ali Daei as the only male players to achieve the feat. He now has 102 goals in 200 appearances for Argentina.
When did Messi score his first international goal?
Messi’s first international goal came on June 16, 2006, in Argentina’s 6-0 win over Serbia in the World Cup group stage. His hat-trick against Curaçao came exactly 20 years later to the day.
Is this Messi’s first hat-trick for Argentina?
No, Messi has scored multiple hat-tricks for Argentina, including one against Panama in 2023 and another against Estonia in 2022. This was his first hat-trick in 2026.
What was the score of Argentina vs Curaçao?
Argentina won 7-0, with Messi scoring a hat-trick, Nico Gonzalez adding a goal, and other contributions from Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez.
