Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina edged out rivals Brazil in a thrilling friendly. Saturday 9 June 2012 is a day that Lionel Messi will remember forever. In helping himself to a hat-trick against Brazil in New Jersey – the second of his international career and his first against A Selecão – the three-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner finally earned hero status among the Albiceleste fans.
Argentina were the day’s big winners, making short work of Ecuador in Buenos Aires by turning in their best first half of football since Alejandro Sabella took over as coach. Inspired by Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, who was celebrating his 24th birthday, La Albiceleste finished the game off with a three-goal burst in 11 minutes, one that erased memories of the listless 1-1 draw with Bolivia last November. Angel Di Maria’s fine second-half strike set the seal on a dominant performance.
Daniel's Argentina 