Lionel Messi’s assist to Lautaro Martinez on Tuesday night secured Argentina a 1-0 victory over Peru and brought the legendary forward closer to another international milestone.
Messi’s 55th-minute assist at La Bombonera marked his 58th on the international stage, tying the men’s record held by U.S. soccer icon Landon Donovan. The decisive moment came when Messi threaded a perfect pass through Peru’s defense, finding Martinez, who volleyed the ball into the net with precision, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The goal was also a landmark for Martinez, bringing his international tally to 32 and matching the legendary Diego Maradona. With this win, Argentina remains atop the CONMEBOL standings for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, leading with 25 points from 12 games—five points clear of Uruguay and six ahead of Ecuador.
With Messi on the brink of breaking the assist record, all eyes will be on Argentina when they resume qualifiers in March, facing tough matchups against Uruguay and Brazil.