Messi marks career's 1,000th game with his first-ever WC knockout goal

Lionel Messi began the 1,000th game of his remarkable career in fitting fashion on Saturday in Argentina's World Cup last 16 clash with Australia as the superstar playmaker took his side in front in the first half at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.

Messi found the back of the net, with a well-placed shot curled into the left-bottom corner, after a neat combination play between Alexis Mac Allister and Nicolas Otamendi in the 35th minute.

Messi slots it home with ease. Photo: Reuters

The first-half ended with Argentina leading Australia 1-0. Argentina had only one shot on target while Australia had none.

However, the Aussies have kept the spine of their defence compact to frustrate the Argentines.  

Therefore, the onus was Messi to deliver. And the Argentine talisman did so as he scored his first-ever goal in a knockout World Cup game, taking his World Cup tally to nine in 22 matches and 789 career goals overall.

The 35-year-old is Argentina's all-time top scorer, with 93 goals prior tonight's game, and was making his 169th appearance for his nation.

Messi joined Barcelona's youth setup at 13, becoming their top scorer also with with 672 goals in 778 games, before moving to Paris St Germain last year.

The 35-year-old is playing at his fifth World Cup and has said it will be his last, making it all the more important for him to win the trophy if he is to match the legacy of his great predecessor in the No. 10 shirt, Diego Maradona.