What is Lionel Messi's record against Peru?
Lionel Messi has faced Peru nine times for Argentina across his international career so far, scoring three goals and recording one assist.
Ahead of Argentina’s showdown with Peru in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, we’ve got the full details of Messi’s results and record against them over the course of his nine previous appearances.
Lionel Messi vs Peru
Played 9
Wins 6
Goals 3
Assists 1
Argentina 2-0 Peru - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier - October 9th 2005
Argentina 4-0 Peru - Copa America - Quarter-final - July 8th 2007
Lionel Messi’s first goal vs Peru came in his only match against them so far at a major tournament, that being the 2007 Copa America.
With the score at 1-0 just past the hour mark, Messi was played through on goal by Juan Roman Riquelme. Spotting his teammates run, Riquelme’s inch-perfect pass found Messi, who slipped the ball beyond Peru keeper Leao Butron.
Messi followed that goal up by assisting Argentina’s third in the 75th minute. After his shot from inside the box was brilliantly saved by Butron, Javier Mascherano was on hand to turn home the rebound.
Peru 1-1 Argentina - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier - September 10th 2008
Argentina 2-1 Peru - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier - October 10th 2009
Peru 1-1 Argentina - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier - September 11th 2012
Argentina 0-0 Peru - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier - October 5th 2017
Peru 0-2 Argentina - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier - November 17th 2020
Argentina 1-0 Peru - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier - October 14th 2021
Peru 0-2 Argentina - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier - October 17th 2023
Over 16 years had passed since Messi’s first goal vs Peru, before he found the net again against the same opposition. This time it came in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier, Messi scoring both goals for Argentina in a 0-2 victory at Estadio Nacional de Lima. As was the case with his goal back in 2007, both came on his left foot and each were scored inside the penalty area.
These goals were particularly special as they cemented Messi as the all-time top-scorer across South American (CONMEBOL) World Cup qualifying. His first arrived courtesy of an excellent finish following a fine cut-back by Nicolas Gonzalez before his second goal came ten minutes later, Julian Alvarez allowing the ball to roll Messi’s way after Enzo Fernandez had played it across the box.
Messi could’ve had a hat-trick after scoring again in the second-half, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside following a VAR review.
