US: Argentina take the lead at half-time thanks to Messi's brilliant goal

 Argentina take the lead at half-time thanks to Messi's brilliant goal

Lionel Messi was present throughout the first half of the Argentina-Algeria match. Messi put the ball in the net just five minutes into the game. The celebrations began in the gallery, but the assistant referee raised his flag within a moment. Then an Algerian goal was disallowed.

However, Messi was back on the scene in the 17th minute. He received the ball from Di Paul and scored a wonderful goal from 25 yards. The world champions went into the break with Messi's 14th goal in the World Cup. Will Messi's magic continue after the break?

Everyone was waiting for something like this! That magical moment came in the 17th minute of the match. Argentina took the lead against Algeria with a brilliant goal from Lionel Messi. This was Messi's 118th goal for the national team and 14th goal in the World Cup, playing in his 200th match for Argentina.

Rodrigo Di Paul passed the ball to Messi from midfield. He took the ball in a familiar manner and fired a powerful shot from about 25 yards.

Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane had both hands on the ball but could not stop it. The ball went into the net and world champions Argentina took the lead.