🎥 Australia beaten as Messi makes history, Garnacho makes debut | OneFootball

Lionel Messi scored the fastest goal of his career as Argentina beat Australia on Thursday.

Scorers: Messi 2′, Pezzella 68′

Messi’s 103rd goal for Argentina was the quickest of his entire career as he took just 78 seconds to give the world champions the lead in Beijing.

A trademark curled effort from the edge of the area left Mat Ryan in goal with no chance and Australia with a mountain to climb.

The Socceroos equipped themselves well, though, surviving another Messi chance before growing into the game as half-time approached. Emiliano Martínez was on hand to tip a Mitch Duke effort onto the post and the lead remained 1-0 at the break.

Messi was involved again, though, as Argentina doubled their advantage. The new Inter Miami signing combined with Rodrigo De Paul at a short corner before Germán Pezzella nodded home.

That goal paved way for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho to come on for his Argentina debut but things were largely uneventful in the closing stages.

The win made it nine in a row for Argentina, including that penalty shootout victory over France in the World Cup final, and they have now lost just one of their last 46 matches.