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No doubt that the Argentina national team is going through the best moment in its history. After being crowned World Champion in Qatar 2022, Lionel Scaloni's team stands out with great performances, such as the recent 7-0 victory against Curacao in an international friendly. However, the good news keep coming for the AFA and on March 28th it was confirmed that the 'Albiceleste' will start April at the top of the FIFA ranking.
According to the information provided by MisterChip, the Argentine national team will take the first place in the ranking issued by the governing body of world football. "It's official! Argentina will be number 1 in the next FIFA ranking, displacing Brazil. Argentina is currently World Champion, Copa America Champion, Number 1 in the FIFA Ranking, and unofficial world champion (boxing system)," reads the publication made by the Spanish statistician on his social media.
It is worth mentioning that on March 23rd, Argentina defeated Panama 2-0 at the Estadio Mas Monumental. In this way, they virtually took the top spot in the FIFA ranking. Brazil fell to Morocco, allowing Argentina to surpass them. France, who is number three, could only surpass Brazil despite their victory against the Netherlands.
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For this reason, with the great 7-0 victory against Curacao, the 'Albiceleste' easily reached the top of the FIFA ranking. However, they needed the victory because if they had drawn or lost, they would have lost points. If that had happened, it would have given France the push they needed to become number one in the world with a victory against Ireland.
Messi and a new record in his career
Lionel Messi shone on March 28th against Curacao in the match that took place at the Único Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero. In the 20th minute, he scored the opening goal and reached 100 goals with the Argentine national team, which won 7-0. However, not satisfied with that, the superstar celebrated two more times in the first 45 minutes: he scored the third and fifth goals for the 'Albiceleste' in the 33rd and 37th minutes, respectively.
It is worth highlighting the 102 goals that 'La Pulga' has already achieved with the national team. For example, he scored them with nine different coaches on the sidelines of the national team since 2006, the year he made his debut with the senior team. He has also been able to score at least once in every year. From the goal he scored against Croatian Stipe Pletikosa on March 1, 2006, to his latest hat-trick against Curacao's Ely Room.
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