Sports

Messi Scores in Likely Final World Cup Appearance as Argentina Sink Chile 3-0

Lionel Messi rolled back the years with a trademark curling free-kick as reigning champions Argentina eased past Chile in their Group D opener.

Sophie Adekunle·7/4/2026
Messi Scores in Likely Final World Cup Appearance as Argentina Sink Chile 3-0

Lionel Messi announced this would 'almost certainly' be his final World Cup, then delivered a moment of magic to remember him by. His 34th-minute curling free-kick opened the scoring as Argentina beat Chile 3-0 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Julián Álvarez added a brace to seal the win. Manager Lionel Scaloni called it 'one of the most emotional nights of my career'.

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