Lionel Messi netted two goals as Argentina secured a 2-0 victory against Peru in Lima on Tuesday night.
Both of Messi's goals, his 105th and 106th at the senior international level, were accomplished with first-time shots from inside the penalty area within the opening 42 minutes.
In the first instance, he fired emphatically into the top corner from 16 yards, with an assist from Nicolas Gonzalez just after the half-hour mark.
His second goal came from a low strike, set up by Enzo Fernandez.
Completing a full 90 minutes for the first time since September 4, Messi found the net once more in the second half, but his 58th career hat-trick was denied due to an offside call.
With his two goals against Peru, the 36-year-old has now accumulated 31 goals in World Cup qualifiers throughout his Argentina career.
This milestone solidifies his position as the leading scorer in South American World Cup qualifiers, surpassing Luis Suarez of Uruguay, with whom he was previously tied at 29 goals.
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