Lionel Messi flirted with a hat trick near the nation’s capital, scoring two goals and reaching second place on the all-time international goals list, in Argentina’s 4-1 victory over Guatemala on Friday night.

Messi answered an early deficit with a goal in 12th minute, and scored another goal in the 77th minute at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland, to reach 108 career goals in 182 international matches.

Messi is tied for second place with Iran’s Ali Daei, who scored 108 in 148 matches, while archrival Cristiano Ronaldo leads all players with 130 goals in 207 games before his Euro 2024 run begins with Portugal.

Messi also finished with an assist as he went the distance Friday in the match, which served as a final warmup before the Copa América. Argentina kicks off the tournament, facing Canada in Atlanta next Thursday.

Argentina is the defending 2021 Copa América and 2022 World Cup champions, eyeing another championship.

“We are going to continue putting in the effort and trying to win, as always,” Messi told TYCSports after the game. “Winning again is increasingly difficult, but we are going to try again.”

Argentina scored all five goals against Guatemala, an own goal by Lisandro Martínez in the fourth minute causing the world champions to play from behind early.

Messi, the Inter Miami star, answered in the 12th minute, stealing a poor clearance by Guatemala goalie Nicholas Hagen, who plays with the reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew.

Lautaro Martinez scored a penalty in the 39th minute, and scored from Messi’s assist in the 66th minute before Messi delivered the final score – the final two scores orchestrated by Argentine standout Angel Di Maria.

Messi nearly converted a hat trick in the 83rd minute, using a crossover to fire away toward the net with his legendary left leg, but missed.

Despite the victory, Argentina’s front line appeared to be out of sync at times before Di Maria’s entrance in the second half.

While Lautaro Martinez, Enzo Fernández and Valentin Carboni were aggressive, there were a few instances where they were unable to get on the same page with Messi in the first half.

Messi also had a moment where his age – he’s turning 37 on June 24 – showed. He was unable to speed away from a defender during a straightaway run toward the net after receiving an outlet pass from Di Maria in the 70th minute.

Still, Messi and Argentina appear in prime shape for Copa América.

It will be Messi’s final Copa América (the next one is in 2028), while Messi has left the door open to playing in the 2026 World Cup.

Messi nearly has hat trick: Argentina 4, Guatemala 1

Messi nearly notched a hat trick, but his fire toward the net was deflected away in the 84^th minute.

Messi was on the right side of the penalty area, and hit his defender with a crossover dribble to fire off his legendary left boot. But to no avail.

Messi scores second goal: Argentina 4, Guatemala 1

Messi received a beautiful pass dropped in his path by Angel Di Maria, and was one-on-one with Guatemala’s goalie. Messi has a brace, scoring in the 77^th minute to increase Argentina’s lead to 4-1 over Guatemala.

Angel Di Maria misses bicycle kick: Argentina 3, Guatemala 1

Lautaro Martinez goal: Argentina 3, Guatemala 1

Messi to Enzo Fernández, back to Messi to set up Lautaro Martinez for his second goal of the match.

It was a beautiful goal sequence by Argentina in the 66^th minute to take a 3-1 lead over Guatemala.

Messi picks up the assist, while Martinez has a brace for the world champions.

Messi nearly scores another goal: Argentina 2, Guatemala 1

Messi’s genius with the ball nearly resulted in another goal just before halftime.

Messi lined up for a free kick, and attacked the left goal post. It appeared Messi’s kick was deflected by Guatemala goalie Nicholas Hagen and hit the post.

It was nearly a brace for Messi, and nearly a two-goal lead. Instead Argentina leads Guatemala 2-1 at halftime.

Lautaro Martínez goal: Argentina 2, Guatemala 1

Lautaro Martínez converts a penalty kick, and Argentina is up 2-1 in the 39^th minute.

Messi misses free kick: Argentina 1, Guatemala 1

Messi didn’t have enough range or bend on a free kick opportunity, just outside the penalty area, for a second goal. His kick was caught by Guatemala goalie Nicholas Hagen in the 30^th minute.

The opportunity was created when Guatemala defender Marco Dominguez-Ramirez grabbed Messi from behind and received a yellow card in the 29^th minute.

Lionel Messi goal: Argentina 1, Guatemala 1

Lionel Messi to the rescue.

After a poor clearance by Guatemala’s goalie, Messi found the back of the net with a touch from his legendary left boot.

It was an easy goal for the World Cup champion to tie the match against Guatemala in the 12^th minute.

Argentina own goal: Guatemala 1, Argentina 0

Four minutes in, and the world champions are down.

Argentina was unable to handle Guatemala’s free kick sequence, and Lisandro Martínez was credited with the own goal.

Guatemala is up 1-0, while Messi’s first touch came before the third minute, as Guatemala’s defense kept Argentina around the midfield area to start this match.

Is Messi playing tonight?

Yes, Messi will play in the Argentina-Guatemala match tonight. Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi will start and could play the entire match.

How to watch Argentina vs. Guatemala live stream 

The match is available on TruTV and Max in English, and here on Fubo.

DC TICKETS: Experience Messi and Argentina vs. Guatemala

What time is Argentina vs. Guatemala match? 

The match begins at 8 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. in Argentina.

Messi is in Argentina’s starting lineup

Here is Argentina’s lineup for the Guatemala match, which includes Messi.

What did Scaloni say about Messi?

"Leo is going to play from the start," Scaloni said at a press conference after arriving in the Washington D.C. area Thursday night.

“Based on how he is, we will see the amount. If he can play everything, even better. We expect the same from him as always: that he plays football, that he associates with his teammates and that he be himself. On the field, in the end what we need is that he is comfortable, that he is comfortable with the team that we put out."

How did Messi fare in his last match?

Messi entered as a substitute in the 56th minute and played the rest of last Sunday’s match between Argentina and Ecuador in Chicago. Argentina won 1-0 after Ángel Di Maria scored in the first half.

“The other day it was decided that he play a few minutes,“ Scaloni said.

When does Argentina begin Copa America?

Messi and Argentina take center stage in the Copa America opener on June 20 against Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Argentina will conclude play in Group A with matches on June 25 vs. Chile at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and against Peru on June 29 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

SHOP INTER MIAMI: Messi gear from the MLS Store

SHOP ARGENTINA: Messi and Argentina gear from Amazon

Will Messi play in the Paris Olympics? 

No, Messi will not join Argentina for the Olympics this summer in Paris. He will return to MLS club Inter Miami after Copa America.

Will Messi play in the next World Cup? 

Messi has not yet decided, but has left the window open to join Argentina for the 2026 World Cup — his health two years from now, the most important factor.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Argentina vs Guatemala highlights: Messi scores two goals in 4-1 win