Argentina's captain and top scorer Lionel Messi began his fifth World Cup in style on Tuesday with a 10th minute penalty against Saudi Arabia as he embarked on his final quest for the only major trophy that has eluded him, Reuters reported.
According to the news agency, the thirty-five-year-ol Messi, who also nearly scored with a shot from inside the box in the opening minutes at the Lusail Stadium, celebrated joyfully after sending Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais the wrong way with his coolly-dispatched penalty.
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Minutes later, another cool finish by Messi was ruled as offside.
Analysts say this might be the last World Cup Messi will be playing before hanging up his boots.
The match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia was underway by the time this news was prepared.
