Copa America: Messi equals appearance record in Argentina's 1-0 win over Paraguay
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Lionel Messi is still looking to win his first piece of silverware with the Argentina senior team, although he has won Olympic gold and the Under-20 World Cup
Lionel Messi earned a record-equalling 147th cap for Argentina as they progressed to the Copa America quarter-finals with victory over Paraguay.
Papu Gomez scored the decisive goal early on, meeting a pass from Angel Di Maria before producing a fine finish.
Messi, 34, equalled Javier Mascherano's appearance record for the national team in the hard-fought win in Brasilia.
Argentina top Group A ahead of Chile, who drew 1-1 with Uruguay to also advance to the knockout stage.
The hastily-rearranged tournament in Brazil, which was moved from Argentina just two weeks before it was scheduled to start because of a a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, is Messi's latest chance to win silverware with the senior team.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner was typically influential, playing a part in the build-up to the game's only goal, while later firing wide from a free-kick.
With four matches left to play in Group A, Paraguay have three points, Uruguay one, and Bolivia none, meaning they all still stand a mathematical chance of advancing alongside Argentina and Chile.
Brazil have already qualified from Group B.
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