It took more than two full matches, but Lionel Messi finally netted his first goal of the 2018 World Cup on Tuesday.
Messi and Argentina got off to a fast start against Nigeria, with Ever Banega feeding Messi a beautiful ball and Messi delivering an even better finish.
LIONEL MESSI GETS THE OPENER!
What a ball by Banega, what a touch and finish by Messi. Argentina lead Nigeria 1-0. pic.twitter.com/ONbGOjKVkg
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 26, 2018
Naturally, Twitter came alive:
Welcome to Russia 2018, Lionel Messi.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 26, 2018
Do not ever doubt the GOAT that is Lionel Messi
— Shaleum logan (@Shay2920) June 26, 2018
Lionel Messi becomes the first player to have scored a #WorldCup goal as a teenager, in his twenties and in his thirties #NGAARG #ARG
— Gracenote Live (@GracenoteLive) June 26, 2018
Lionel Messi goal. #ARG pic.twitter.com/5epwkcyqkn
— Matthew Santangelo (@Matt_Santangelo) June 26, 2018
Lionel Messi's fans right now!#NGAARG #GIGAFootball pic.twitter.com/f5Beyxyt5Z
— Evans Bett (@iam_bett) June 26, 2018
Fittingly, Messi’s goal was the 100th of the World Cup.
Messi is widely considered to be the best player in the world, but he did not look like it through Arengtina’s first two matches. He even missed a penalty kick earlier in the tournament and was ruthlessly mocked on social media, but the greats can only be held down for so long.
