LIONEL Messi posted a five-star performance last night as Argentina thrashed Estonia 5-0 in an international friendly in Spain as Cristiano Ronaldo steered Portugal to a 4-0 win over Switzerland.
Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who bagged two assists in midweek as Argentina defeated Italy 3-0 in the Finalissima, netted all five of Argentina’s goals against the European lightweights.
The Paris Saint-Germain star opened the scoring in the eighth minute from the penalty spot before completing his hat-trick midway into the second half.
The 34-year-old superstar then scored his 85th and 86th international goals in quick succession in the match’s final 20 minutes.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward also became the first player to have scored five times in both a single European Cup or Champions League clash and in an international match at senior level.
The five-goal haul took Messi past Hungary legend Ferenc Puskas into fourth on the all-time international goals list.
Messi is now three goals behind former Malaysia forward Mokhtar Dahari, in third, while Iran’s Ali Daei (109) is second.
The former Barcelona forward however remains a long way behind leader Cristiano Ronaldo, who increased his ultra-impressive numbers to 117 with two goals in Portugal’s 4-0 UEFA Nations League win over Switzerland in Lisbon.
Ronaldo scored twice in the first half, with William Carvalho and Joao Cancelo adding the other goals.
Earlier in the evening, Wales defeated Ukraine 1-0 in Cardiff to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Andriy Yarnolenko turned Gareth Bale’s free-kick into his own net to give Wales the victory that ended their 64-year absence at the World Cup.
In other UEFA Nations League games tonight, Czech Republic drew 2-2 with Spain in Prague, Norway defeated Sweden in Stockholm with two goals from Erling Haaland, and Serbia thrashed visiting Slovenia 4-1.
