Highlights: Argentina - Australia | 2023 International Friendly

And Argentina of course have good memories of the Chinese capital. Leo Messi, part of their Olympic team that won gold at the Bird's Nest back in 2008. All this huge crowd in Beijing get what they've come to see and that is another Messi masterclass. A little stumble and there is no whistle and Argentina will continue. That's why he's the best player in the world and that's what the fans came to see tonight and it's happened inside the opening two minutes and it is classic Messi. Incredible. He only needs half a chance and he punishes you and Australia did what Graham Arnold told them not to do right from the kickoff. Small opening, beautiful curled shot. Matty Ryan stranded. Doesn't need a second invitation does he? He's played the ball out wide here. Touched by Molina. Nathaniel almost nipped him but not quite and Messi's managed to find the ball forward. Another chance here. Here's Cristian Romero who plays his club football in England as well with Tottenham. Look at that. Lovely feet to get away from Atkinson. Infield it comes. Here's Messi again. Little pirouette and tries to flick it over the top for McAllister. Back with the Argentine captain. Di Maria. He's in position for the return. Messi. Side netting this time. Wow what a player. Well he's in the mood tonight. An early goal. Messi. Sadly for the Socorros not much that Ryan could do with that early strike from this man on the ball, Leo Messi. Almost difficult to get your head around that sort of money. Messi. Doesn't mind operating in those tight spaces. He's well used to it and draws the contact from Bacchus. Comes turned by McAllister. Messi. Swings it out wide. It was the right idea. Picked up by Messi who tries to thread it through. It's just a fraction too strong. Rodrigo de Paul. Here's another one who plays for Atletico Madrid. And there is no flag here and the chip goes over the top from Messi. Wow. Another impudent attempt to try and embarrass Australia. And it nearly paid off. Well the run was brilliant. Because Kyrgios thinks he's got him. And then he's lost him. And then he and there he is. Where is he? There he is. It's almost too late. The glimpses to what he's going to bring to the national team. And Mr Veselo when he moved. He's done well in that particular battle. Oh that's not so good. Straight to the feet of Messi. It's all about Leo Messi. Delighting the thousands who've paid big money to see him here tonight. I think Leo Messi's just given an autograph there to the assistant referee. Everybody wants a piece of him. And he will no doubt be in demand for the after game interviews. Particularly on the back of that very special goal. High alert. Floated into a decent area. Veselo rolls in a bit of push and shove inside the box. Here's Messi's delivery towards the near post. And Matt Ryan pulls it back to him. The best option to give the best player in the world the ball again. He did well on swatting the ball clear. And then Di Maria with great technique. Firing the ball goalward. To take the corner. And Ryan. Well again I'm not 100% convinced yet. The measure of the flight of the delivery. Skips clear of Atkinson. Not the best release but it'll work out all right for Argentina. Messi. Into the channel. Building nicely here. And the header is on target from Leo Messi. Graham Arnold the coach talking pre-game about injury to wingers. Good strong win though by Lo Celso. Now Messi. Been a while since we've heard those cheers. Here comes Acuna. Swings it across. Messi. A little drop of the shoulder goes down. And Ma Ning. Right on the spot. Says free kick. See. On the ticket. A set piece. Messi finds a way through. Curtsy of a touch off the wall. A fancy off Kai Rolls. Wanting to try and get close to their hero. Messi keeping a watching brief on everything. And we have a long delay before the corner can be taken. Which has worked short between De Paul and Messi. Nice little reverse ball from De Paul. Still plenty up for Argentina. It's two. Beautifully flighted delivery. Showing us the full range now of their skills. Messi. In position for the return. Little drop of the shoulder. Tees up Alvarez. Julian Alvarez. Good save. Matty Ryan. To keep the margin at two. Only France, Holland and Australia. The teams to score against them. Here's Messi. Stilga. That is sublime. Absolutely brilliant. Garnaccio had no right to get through there, Messi. But somehow he squirmed clear. No wonder the camera shutters are going off. Garnaccio for Paredes. Now Messi. Trying to lift that ball over the top. Consider there's no qualifying points or tournament points at stake. Argentina have done what they've been to do. But they've been tested. That's offside. Flag clearly raised. Now the world champions about to finish for the Lake Flourish. Here's Messi. Out for Garnaccio. Messi. Maybe a final chance for his Chinese fan club to cheer him. But he's lost out. The feather touch from Leo Messi. It's become his trademark. His feet are almost like hands. The world champions. Too strong once again for the Socceroos. But tonight is all about Leo Messi. And now the fight is on for his shirt. Alexander Robertson having a go. I'm sure there'll be a few contenders for it. But he was a joy to watch. He has been a joy to watch over the last couple of decades. Let's hope it's not the last we've seen of him in an Argentina jersey.