In the end, it went about as well as the 68,000 attendees at Beijing’s Workers’ Stadium, the vast majority of whom were wearing Argentina shirts, could have hoped. The world champions recorded a 2-0 win over Australia and everyone got what they paid for. Probably a good thing, too, as according to local reports, some in the stands paid up to 4,800 yuan ($A980) for the privilege.
His name emblazoned across the back of his shirt in Chinese script, Lionel Messi, the star of the show, quickly went to work. Finding room after Mat Leckie turned the ball over just outside his penalty area, he received a pass from Enzo Fernández, sent Aiden O’Neill sprawling as he shifted his weight and then curled the ball beyond Mat Ryan. A gorgeous goal, scored inside 120 seconds – the fastest of Messi’s 103 international strikes.
