Argentina ace fires hat-trick in friendly thriller in New Jersey
Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick as Argentina beat old rivals Brazil 4-3 in an enthralling friendly in New Jersey.
Brazil claimed a 23rd minute lead when a quickly taken free-kick found Romulo, who fired home while Argentina's
defenders appealed in vain for offside.But Real Madrid
striker Gonzalo Higuain then robbed Sandro and played in Messi (31), who raced towards goal and scored with a low shot.And the brilliant Barcelona
forward was soon at it again, latching onto an Angel di Maria pass and
rounding goalkeeper Rafael Cabral before turning the ball into the net.The second half was even more exciting as Brazil levelled on 56 minutes when Oscar scored from close range after a neat one-two before they took the lead when Hulk volleyed home 16 minutes later after Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero
fumbled a corner.But that lead did not last long, Federico Fernandez (75) heading in off the post from a corner to make it 3-3 before Messi won it with a wonder goal six minutes from time.
Having escaped his man on the right-hand touchline, Messi cut inside and then unleashed a beautiful shot from just outside the penalty area which curled past Cabral.
Brazil's Marcelo and Argentina's Ezequiel Lavezzi were then sent off after an altercation in injury-time.