Lionel Messi rounded off an evening of celebration together with his 800th skilled purpose as Argentina beat Panama 2-0 of their first match since profitable the World Cup.

Messi, 35, claimed his 99th worldwide purpose from a free-kick after 89 minutes, sending the 83,000 followers on the Monumental de Nunez Stadium in Buenos Aires into raptures.

Substitute Thiago Almada had grabbed the opener 11 minutes earlier after a Messi free-kick had come again off the put up.

Supervisor Lionel Scaloni named the identical beginning line-up because the World Cup ultimate with your entire squad from Qatar posing for photos in entrance of a duplicate trophy earlier than kick-off.

However they had been made to attend for the breakthrough as Panama goalkeeper Josec Guerra produced a number of saves and the defence fought valiantly to maintain out the World Cup champions.

“I all the time dreamed of this second, to rejoice with you in my nation Argentina, lifting the best factor that’s the World Cup,” Messi stated at a post-match ceremony organised by the Argentine FA to rejoice the nation’s third World Cup title and first in 36 years.

“Let’s maintain doing what we’re doing and revel in this, as a result of now we have been ready a very long time to win it once more. Let’s benefit from the third star.”

A tearful Scaloni added: “Everlasting gratitude to those gamers. Soccer belongs to them, and with out them we would not have received the World Cup.

“Everybody who wears this shirt provides their all and typically the outcomes do not come. However this time we received it and it is unimaginable,” stated the coach earlier than a victory lap of gamers and households harking back to the one his staff did 95 days in the past on the Lusail Stadium.

Argentina face Curacao on Tuesday to spherical off per week which has seen Messi extensively celebrated as a hero.