3) Just Lionel Messi things
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After sitting out of the opener against Chile, Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi again started the game on the bench, but when he was brought on in the second half, he made sure everyone in Soldier Field were on their feet.
After a scrappy first goal, Messi struck an impeccable free-kick into the top corner for his brace 10 minutes later, and completed his treble soon after when he twisted two defenders inside out to place a fierce shot beyond the grasp of Panama ‘keeper Jaime Penedo.
The hat-trick got him withing just 3 goals of Gabriel Batistuta’s all-time scoring record of 56 goals, and also level on terms with Brazil’s Philippe Coutinho in the race for the Golden Boot.
The entire world was waiting to see him in action, and Messi ended the wait in the most spectacular way possible.
