Messi Scores 103rd International Goal for Argentina Against Australia

Argentina's national team defeated Australia in a FIFA Matchday friendly at Beijing's Workers' Stadium, China, on Thursday evening (June 15, 2023) WIB. La Albiceleste won 2-0 against Australia, thanks in part to Lionel Messi, who needed only 80 seconds in the first half to score against his opponents.

This was Messi's 103rd international goal, solidifying his status as Argentina's all-time top scorer.

This new record also surpasses Messi's previous fastest goal, which was scored in 127 seconds. That goal was against Chelsea in the 2018 Champions League when he was still playing for Barcelona.

According to sports statistics data from *OptaJavier*, Messi's goal against Australia is the fastest goal he has ever scored.

“Lionel Messi's goal for Argentina against Australia was scored in 1 minute and 19 seconds, the fastest of his professional career,” stated the @OptaJavier account on Twitter, Thursday (June 15, 2023).

In addition to Messi's quick goal, La Albiceleste scored against The Socceroos through German Pezzella in the 68th minute.

Australia was Argentina's first opponent in this Asian tour. After playing in Beijing, Argentina will play their second match against the Indonesian national team at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on Monday (June 19, 2023).

Lionel Messi's Total Goals for Argentina

According to reports from the football website *Goal.com*, Messi has been scoring goals for the Argentinian national team since 2006. Of the 103 goals, the majority (48 goals) were scored in friendly matches.

The Argentinian national team player, wearing number 10, scored 28 goals in World Cup Qualifiers.

The remaining goals were scored in the World Cup and Copa America, 13 goals each. Messi has not yet scored in the Finalissima.

“The star who recently moved to Inter Miami is Argentina's all-time top scorer and holds many other records, both at club and international level,” stated *Goal.com*.

The following is a breakdown of the number of matches and goals scored by Messi for the Argentinian national team as of June 16, 2023:

World Cup
* Matches: 26
* Goals: 13

Copa America
* Matches: 34
* Goals: 13

World Cup Qualifiers
* Matches: 60
* Goals: 28

Finalissima
* Matches: 1
* Goals: 0

Friendlies
* Matches: 54
* Goals: 48

Total
* Matches: 175
* Goals: 103