Messi Conjures Up Five-timer in Estonia Friendly

File Photo: Lionel Messi celebrates his five-timer ANDER GILLENEA AFP
File Photo: Lionel Messi celebrates his five-timer ANDER GILLENEA AFP
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Messi Conjures Up Five-timer in Estonia Friendly

File Photo: Lionel Messi celebrates his five-timer ANDER GILLENEA AFP
File Photo: Lionel Messi celebrates his five-timer ANDER GILLENEA AFP

Lionel Messi scored all the goals in Argentina's 5-0 friendly win over Estonia in Pamplona, Spain on Sunday.

Messi joins a select club comprising only Juan Andres Marvezy and Manuel Moreno to score five in a game for Argentina, AFP said.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or scored from the spot in the eighth minute, then added four more in the space of half an hour (45, 47, 71 and 76 minutes).

His quintet extended his record tally of goals for his country to 86.

Lionel Scaloni's side are unbeaten in 33 matches, the last loss a 2-0 defeat to Brazil in the semi-finals of the 2019 Copa America.

At the World Cup finals in Qatar later this year Argentina are drawn with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.



Botafogo Shock PSG 1-0 at Club World Cup

Botafogo's Igor Jesus gestures as he leaves the field after winning during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between PSG and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Botafogo's Igor Jesus gestures as he leaves the field after winning during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between PSG and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Botafogo Shock PSG 1-0 at Club World Cup

Botafogo's Igor Jesus gestures as he leaves the field after winning during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between PSG and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Botafogo's Igor Jesus gestures as he leaves the field after winning during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between PSG and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Brazil's Botafogo withstood waves of attacks from Paris St Germain to stun the European champions 1-0 on Thursday and throw Group B at the Club World Cup wide open.

PSG dominated possession at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena but Botafogo's resolute defense stood tall in the first competitive meeting between the two clubs, Reuters reported.

The goal came in the 36th minute when Botafogo gained possession in midfield and Jefferson Savarino slid a pass through for Igor Jesus to run in on goal.

Jesus outmaneuvered two defenders and his shot deflected off the leg of PSG's Willian Pacho, the ball changing direction and leaving goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma flatfooted and only able to watch as the ball skipped into the net.

Jesus celebrated by hopping over the barrier and was mobbed by delirious Botafogo fans.

PSG continued to be the aggressors in the second half as Botafogo were content to protect their lead and try to capitalize on the break.

PSG, who had scored 19 goals in their last five matches, had the ball in the net in the 79th minute but the goal was chalked off for offside and Botafogo held for the shock win.

The Brazilians became the first team to stop PSG scoring since March when Liverpool defeated them 1-0 in the Champions League. The French side had scored in 19 consecutive games until losing on Thursday.

Botafogo coach Renato Paiva said his team had beaten PSG at their own game.

"Being a great team, playing together, all the guys defending, all the guys attacking, and that's the big secret of this PSG team, that's why they compete and win," he said.

"They are a fantastic team. I said this, PSG are a lesson to everybody nowadays in football. And I told my guys, just be a team, enjoy playing together, attack together, defend together, and enjoy. And they did they did it. Fantastic."

PSG were once again without Ousmane Dembele, who suffered an injury while playing for France in the UEFA Nations League earlier this month.

The victory gives the South American champions a huge boost in their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds after they beat MLS side Seattle Sounders 2-1 in their opener.

PSG, who thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in their first match, will look to bounce back against the Sounders on Monday while Botafogo are back at the Rose Bowl again to take on Atletico the same day.

Brazil's four teams at the 32-club tournament are unbeaten so far and Paiva said it showed the strength of the game in the South American nation.

"I think it's the quality of Brazilian players, the quality of what people are doing in Brazil, especially the coaches," he said.

"Brazil will always be Brazil in world football."