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Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2026 World Cup qualifier between Peru and Argentina, in Lima, Peru, October 17, 2023. /CFP
Lionel Messi proved he is back to full fitness after scoring both goals in Argentina's 2-0 win over Peru in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Messi, who was included in the squad despite having been sidelined in recent weeks with a muscle problem, came on as a substitute in Argentina's 1-0 win over Paraguay on October 12 but was on the pitch from the start of the game in Lima.
The 36-year-old put the world champions ahead in the 32nd minute with a superb shot after an assist from Nicolas Gonzalez, and made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later with a fierce finish from Enzo Fernandez's pass.
Messi was denied a hat-trick in the second half after he had a goal disallowed for offside following a VAR review.
Neymar of Brazil is carried off the pitch on a stretcher after being injured during the 2026 World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Uruguay in Montevideo, Uruguay, October 17, 2023. /CFP
Also on Tuesday, Uruguay beat Brazil 2-0 with Neymar forced to leave the field after suffering what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
The 31-year-old went down after a tackle from behind by Nicolas de la Cruz in the 44th minute, holding his left leg in pain and calling for medical attention as his teammates looked on anxiously.
He left the pitch on a stretcher after receiving treatment for several minutes. Brazil Football Association sources said Neymar had sustained a severe left knee sprain and that he would undergo tests to determine if there was ligament damage.
Darwin Nunez and Nicolas de la Cruz scored to give Uruguay a 2-0 win over Brazil.
In other qualifiers on Tuesday, Venezuela cruised past Chile 3-0, Paraguay beat 1-0 Bolivia and Ecuador draw 0-0 against Colombia.
(With input from agencies)
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Copyright © 2023 CGTN. 京ICP备16065310号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466