Manuel Lanzini starts with Hat-trick Messi

Lionel Messi said Argentina will “go to Russia with hope” after he scored a hat-trick in their 4-0 World Cup warm-up win over Haiti. The Barcelona star started alongside Hammer Manuel Lanzini.

“We’re not going as favourites but will give it our all,” said Messi.

Messi’s first-half opener came from the penalty spot after 17 minutes, then he scored twice after the break before creating the goal for Aguero, who has recovered from a knee injury, at Boca Junior’s stadium in Buenos Aires.

“More than the result we were able to say goodbye to our fans,” Messi added. “We had a complicated time in the qualifiers, but we are training well.”

Lanzini and the Argentina squad now fly to Barcelona to prepare for World Cup group matches against Iceland on 16 June, Croatia on 21 June and Nigeria on 26 June.

https://youtu.be/PhLGj3KA7mw

Lanzini World Cup Fixtures

Saturday, June 16 (2pm): Argentina v Iceland ITV

Thursday, June 21 (7pm): Argentina v Croatia BBC

Tuesday, June 26 (7pm): Nigeria v Argentina BBC