Lionel Messi is inevitable.

The Argentine star made his return to Lionel Scaloni’s starting XI on Tuesday in 2026 World Cup qualifying action vs. Peru after being a substitute vs. Paraguay on Thursday.

And how did Messi re-announce himself? scoring twice in as many minutes to end the first half on a high note.

The first came on a transition opportunity in the 32nd minute. Messi scored a spectacular goal by converting a cutback pass from left winger Nico Gonzalez, who beat goalkeeper Pedro Gallese with ease.

He added his second 10 minutes later. Left back Nicolas Tagliafico broke Peru’s 4-4-2 mid-block with an incisive through ball to Enzo Fernandez, whose cutback pass came off striker Julian Alvarez and to Messi, who once again buried it first time.