A moving emotional evening in Argentina. 83,<> "lucky" celebrated with Messi

Superstar Lionel Messi scored his 800th goal in his prolific career and led Argentina to a 2-0 win over Panama on Thursday, in a friendly match that saw raucous celebrations as Albi Celeste won the World Cup for the third time in its history.
With a superb free-kick a minute before time was up, Messi, the seven-time world player of the year, wrapped up an "exhibition" match in which 21-year-old Thiago Almada (78) opened the scoring, scoring his first goal in his third international match.
The capital Buenos Aires witnessed an emotional evening, with fireworks set off over the historic Monumental Stadium, which was filled with 83,000 lucky people who managed to get tickets out of 1.5 million applications, to watch their country's first match after beating France on penalties in the Qatari World Cup final after a 3-3 draw.
Messi, coach Lionel Scaloni and several Argentine players and their children entered the stadium and looked on the brink of tears, as fans sang in unison "Mochachos", the anthem of the Argentine team crowned at the World Cup in Qatar three months ago with the third world title in its history after 1978 and 1986.
After the match, the celebrations continued, with each player from the World Cup squad handing a World Cup copy surrounded by their families.
"I've always dreamed of this moment, to be able to celebrate with you, lift the Copa America in my country and the World Cup," said Messi, 35, who was named the best player in World Cup, after failing in several editions, most notably the 2014 final when Germany lost 0-1 at the end of extra time. That's the most beautiful thing."
Scaloni, who let tears flow, said: "I'm forever grateful to these players. Football belongs to them, it belongs to everyone who wears this shirt."
"They make every effort and sometimes the results don't come from. This time it came true and that's great."
- Persistence rewards Messi - It was clear that it was not just a friendly in football, but a celebratory stage for a long-awaited world title in a country that loves the round.
Despite their modesty on a global level, Panama played organised and held out until the 78th minute when their defence finally bowed.
Despite having 73 per cent possession in the first half, the Tango team didn't get many chances.
Messi shook the crossbar with a beautiful free-kick, while Ensu Fernandes forced goalkeeper Jose Carlos Guerra into a one-handed save.
Scaloni chose the same squad that faced France in the Losail final last December and won the penalty shootout 4-2 after a crazy match, which ended in a 3-3 draw.
After the first half ended in a goalless draw, he made three changes, but Guerra twice stood in front of Messi and his free kicks, and blocked another chance for veteran Angel Di Maria, one of the champions of the World Cup final.
As time passed, the host realized that recording was necessary to complete the festive scene.
Messi, the French player of Paris Saint-Germain, contributed to the goal of the lead with a free kick that bounced back from the boards, followed by the substitute of the second half Almada, the American player of Atlanta United, scoring the first goal.
The stands flamed and great joy pervaded inside and outside the rectangle.
A minute before the end of time, Messi was awarded another free-kick that he played a wonderful spiral in his own way, to end the scenario of the match in the most wonderful way.
The "mosquito" raised his tally to 800 goals in 1017 matches at the professional level.
The celebrations continued after the match with a video reminiscent of moments of glory in Qatar, with an honorary roll of the players and their families accompanied by the Golden Cups.
Argentina play on Tuesday with the submerged island of Curaçao (160,000 people) in Santiago del Estro (north).