Messi scores twice as Argentina down Hondura

Lionel Messi's expertly taken double helped seal a comprehensive 3-0 win for Argentina over Honduras in Miami on Friday to extend their impressive unbeaten run ahead of the Qatar World Cup.

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Lionel Messi's expertly taken double helped seal a comprehensive 3-0 win for Argentina over Honduras in Miami on Friday to extend their impressive unbeaten run ahead of the Qatar World Cup.

The Argentina captain scored a goal in each half, his opener doubling the lead given to Lionel Scaloni's team by Lautaro Martínez early on. The Albiceleste haven't lost in 34 matches heading into Tuesday's game against Jamaica in New York.

Struggling to control his emotions, Lionel Messi said on Sunday in his farewell to Barcelona that he wasn't prepared to leave the club. Messi began crying even before he started speaking at his farewell ceremony at the Camp Nou Stadium, and had to stop talking to compose himself few times.

"The game was what we expected," Argentina coach Scaloni said. "I am satisfied with that. As far as players who didn't play, as a coach I have to manage minutes and rest some players. Most important thing is that whoever plays proves they can belong and can play."

Honduras failed to qualify for Qatar and were under pressure from the off, Alejandro Gómez blazing an early effort over before Rodrigo De Paul screwed a shot just wide.

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Messi came closest to winning the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014, when Argentina were beaten in the final by Germany after he had scored four goals in seven games in the tournament.

For Argentina Messi has a record 162 caps in which he has scored 86 goals. Argentina won the 2021 Copa America with Messi the top goalscorer in the competition