(Football news) Argentina’s talisman and captain Lionel Messi scored all five goals in the game as they ran riot in a friendly against European minnows Estonia. It is only the second time in his career that he has scored five in a game, 10 years on from doing it for the first time against Bayer Leverkusen when they won 7-1 that day. The Argentines were high on confidence since they swept aside Italy 3-0 in the Finalissima, a first game between the champions of Europe and South America on Wednesday. In that match, Messi provided two assists and he was once again in vintage form after a disappointing first season with PSG. He opened the scoring with a penalty and his fourth goal subsequently moved him above Ferenc Puskas in the highest international goal scorers list as he scored 84 goals for Hungary.

Lionel Messi gave the newly-crowned ‘continental champions’ a much deserved lead from the penalty spot after eight minutes, when he calmly scored the penalty as he shot into the corner with the Estonian goalkeeper rooted to the spot. On the stroke of half-time, he scored a second goal when Papu Gómez brilliantly picked him out from inside the penalty area and Messi picked out the far corner with ease to make it two. He then went on to claim his eighth international hat-trick after just 68 seconds in the second half, when a cross from the right was brilliantly steered into the net by the PSG forward. Messi's goals in Pamplona stadium demonstrated his vast array of skills and showed the world why is the current Ballon d’Or holder. His third goal was a classic Messi type when he scored the goal with a predatory finish, showing off his trademark precision to direct Nahuel Molina's cross into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Messi wasn’t done there either and then scored his fourth when the Estonian defence stopped playing for some reason as they allowed him to breeze through and turn the goalkeeper for the easiest goals of his five goals he scored. Soon number five followed, as this milestone was achieved for the first time in a single game for the Copa América holders. Julian Álvarez’s effort was blocked as the ball eventually broke back to Messi’s way for another routine finish. With this win it extended Argentina’s unbeaten run to 33 games. Their next match will be against the number 1 side in the world, Brazil on Saturday.  Estonia on the other hand will face Malta in  their Nations League campaign.

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