Welcome to the World Cup, Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi finally left his mark at this World Cup with a wonderful strike against Nigeria in St. Petersburg.

Argentina’s hopes live and die with Lionel Messi. He’d been frustrated at this World Cup, missing a penalty kick against Iceland in his first match before struggling to have any impact on the match in his side’s embarrassing 3-0 loss to Croatia.

Messi broke his scoreless streak at this tournament by tallying a wonderful strike against Nigeria in the 14th minute off a brilliant Ever Banega pass. Messi ran off the shoulder off the last defender, before controlling Banega’s ball with a brilliant first touch and then finishing with his right foot.

In scoring, Messi became the first player to score a World Cup goal in his teens, his 20s and 30s.

Next: History could be on Russia’s side as round of 16 looms

The goal sent the crowd at St. Petersburg Stadium into ecstasy, including the great Diego Maradona.

Argentina need a win against Nigeria, coupled with a Iceland draw or loss to Croatia, to advance to the round of 16. Iceland have played well in the first half, coming close to scoring twice. If Argentina want to ensure they go through, they could use a few more goals from Messi to pad their lead.

Jorge Sampaoli’s side have been embroiled in controversy for most of the tournament, for most of the past four years, really, but started against Nigeria like a team desperate to prove they still have one more World Cup run in them.