Lionel Messi has become the first South American player to score 80 international goals. The PSG star helped Argentina convincingly beat Uruguay 3-0 in a qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup.

Captain Messi put Argentina in the lead with an aerial pass which somewhat deceived the goalkeeper and ended up in Uruguay’s net.

Rodrigo de Paul doubled the Argentines’ lead just before the break between the pieces, while Lautaro Martinez scored the third in the second half.

“We played a great game. Everything went perfectly,” said Messi after the match.

Argentina is unbeaten in 24 games now and this victory increases the pressure on Brazil in the South American qualifying group for the World Cup.

Brazil is the leader with 28 points, followed by Argentina with 22.

Ecuador is third with 16 points, as is Uruguay, while Colombia is fifth with 15 points.