Early Messi strike helps Argentina see off Australia in friendly stroll

In the end, it went about as well as the 68,000 attendees at Beijing’s Workers’ Stadium, who judging from the shots of the stands were all wearing La Albiceleste shirts, could have hoped. Argentina recorded a 2-0 win over Australia and everyone got what they paid for. Probably a good thing, too, as according to local reports, some in the stands paid up to 4,800 yuan ($A980) for the privilege.

His name emblazoned across the back of his shirt in Chinese script, Lionel Messi, the star of the show, quickly went to work. Finding room after Mat Leckie turned the ball over just outside his penalty area, he received a ball from Enzo Fernández, sent Aiden O’Neill sprawling as he shifted his weight and then curled the ball beyond Mat Ryan in less than 120 seconds. A gorgeous goal, the fastest of the 103 international ones he’s scored in his career.

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In a low-stakes, largely commercially driven friendly, he spent most of his time ambling around to an even greater degree than normal. But his enrapturing ability to intersperse an almost ethereally laconic glide across the pitch with jagged, rapid moments of lethal intent and otherworldly skill still shone through. Further opportunities to score followed, including a free kick nodded over the bar in the 66th minute to win the corner that was eventually headed home by Germán Pezzella. So to did chances created for others. When you’re the greatest player of all time, you probably can’t help it.

If Messi will be a part of Argentina’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is unknown. He’s indicated it’s unlikely, but Lionel Scaloni