Barcelona beat Peru 1-0 in 2026 World Cup Qualifying play, and Lionel Messi got one step closer to breaking yet another record. The first goal for Argentina didn’t come until the second half, when Messi and Lautaro Martínez both scored wonderful goals. 

Messi got past the Peru defenders with a quick pass and then sent a curling cross to the middle of the penalty area, where Martínez scored with a stunning volleyed shot. The assist was Messi’s 58th on the international stage for Argentina. At 37 years old, he is now tied with Landon Donovan for the most assists in the history of men’s international soccer. 

Help number 58 for Messi. Shares the record for most goals in the history of men’s international soccer with Landon Donovan. Picture: rmGzqoF9et – Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 20, 2024 Messi will try to break that record and get to 59 assists when Argentina plays Uruguay and Brazil in two World Cup Qualifying games in 2025. With 25 points from 12 games, Messi’s goal against Peru kept Argentina on top of the CONMEBOL standings.

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