Argentina 2-0 Australia: Lionel Messi scores fastest career goal in Beijing friendly
- Published
Since the start of the 2022 World Cup Lionel Messi has scored 12 goals across his past 10 games for Argentina
Lionel Messi scored his fastest career goal as Argentina comfortably beat Australia in a friendly in Beijing.
Captain Messi, 35, opened the scoring after one minute and 19 seconds, curling a finish into the top left corner from the edge of the box.
Substitute German Pezzella doubled the world champions' lead with a header in the 68th minute.
Australia's Mitch Duke had a first-half effort pushed on to the post by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
But Argentina always looked comfortable in Messi's first match since agreeing to join American side Inter Miami.
Lionel Scaloni's side were playing their third fixture since lifting the World Cup in December, and their first outside of Argentina.