<P> Billed as Messi versus Germany, the world's best player against the best team, the final was a repeat of the 1990 final featuring Diego Maradona . Within the first half - hour, Messi had started the play that led to a goal, but it was ruled offside . He missed several opportunities to open the scoring throughout the match, in particular at the start of the second half when his breakaway effort went wide of the far post . Substitute Mario Götze finally scored in the 113th minute, followed in the last minute of extra time by a free kick that Messi sent over the net, as Germany won the match 1--0 to claim the World Cup . At the conclusion of the final, Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament . In addition to being the joint third - highest goalscorer, with four goals and an assist, he created the most chances, completed the most dribbling runs, made the most deliveries into the penalty area and produced the most throughballs in the competition . However, his selection drew criticism due to his lack of goals in the knockout round; FIFA President Sepp Blatter expressed his surprise, while Maradona suggested that Messi had undeservedly been chosen for marketing purposes . </P> <P> Another final appearance, the third of Messi's senior international career, followed in the 2015 Copa América, held in Chile . Under the stewardship of former Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino, Argentina entered the tournament as title contenders due to their second - place achievement at the World Cup . During the opening match against Paraguay, they were ahead two goals by half - time but lost their lead to end the match in a 2--2 draw; Messi had scored from a penalty kick, netting his only goal in the tournament . Following a 1--0 win against defending champions Uruguay, Messi earned his 100th cap for his country in the final group match, a 1--0 win over Jamaica, becoming only the fifth Argentine to achieve this milestone . In his 100 appearances, he had scored a total of 46 goals for Argentina, 22 of which came in official competitive matches . </P> <P> As Messi evolved from the team's symbolic captain into a genuine leader, he led Argentina to the knockout stage as group winners . In the quarter - final, they created numerous chances, including a rebound header by Messi, but were repeatedly denied by Colombia's goalkeeper, and ultimately ended the match scoreless, leading to a 5--4 penalty shootout in their favour . At the semi-final stage, Messi excelled as playmaker as he provided three assists and helped create three more goals in his side's 6--1 victory over Paraguay, receiving applause from the initially hostile crowd . Argentina started the final as the odds - on title favourites, but were defeated by Chile 4--1 in a penalty shootout after an 0--0 extra-time draw . Faced with aggression from opposing players, including taking a boot to the midriff, Messi played below his standards, though he was the only Argentine to successfully convert his penalty . At the close of the tournament, he was reportedly selected to receive the Most Valuable Player award but rejected the honour . As Argentina continued a trophy drought that began in 1993, the World Cup and Copa América defeats again brought intense criticism for Messi from Argentine media and fans . </P> <P> Messi's place in Argentina's Copa América Centenario squad was initially put in jeopardy when he sustained a back injury in a 1--0 friendly win over Honduras in a pre-Copa América warm - up match on 27 May 2016 . It was later reported that he had suffered a deep bruise in his lumbar region, but that he would remain in Martino's squad for the tournament, although he was later left on the bench in Argentina's 2--1 opening win over defending champions Chile on 6 June due to concerns regarding his fitness . Although Messi was declared match - fit for his nation's second group match against Panama on 10 June, Martino left him on the bench once again; he replaced Augusto Fernández in the 61st minute and subsequently scored a hat - trick in 19 minutes, also starting the play which led to Sergio Agüero's goal, as the match ended in a 5--0 victory, sealing Argentina's place in the quarter - finals of the competition; he was elected man of the match for his performance . </P>

Most goals scored in a soccer game by messi