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International Rewind: Messi nets hat trick, Colombia blanks Mexico and more

Messi (Getty Images)

These days it's rare for Lionel Messi to accomplish something he has yet to already do, but he was able to cross another item off his career bucket list on Wednesday.

The Barcelona catalyst and reigning Ballon d'Or winner scored his first career hat trick for his country, tallying all of Argentina's goals — including two late ones — in a 3-1 victory over Switzerland in Bern.

Messi, still criticized by some for his performance on the international level, silenced all doubters on Wednesday, turning in a dominant showing and outdueling Swiss rising star Xherdan Shaqiri. He opened his account with a low shot from the edge of the box in the first half. After Shaqiri leveled the score with a 50th-minute finish, Messi went to work, shaking a defender in the box before chipping the goalkeeper in the 88th minute. He capped off his hat trick from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

Highlights from the match and more results from Wednesday's wild day of international soccer are after the jump:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AgnWp_2bDA]

COLOMBIA 2, MEXICO 0

Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado scored to cap a pretty dominant performance by the Colombians, who silenced a first-choice Mexico squad in front of more than 51,000 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

Falcao scored on a rebound of a spilled save in the 36th minute, while Cuadrado finished off a tremendous team passing sequence by one-timing a cross into a vacated net in the 60th minute to extend Colombia's advantage.

Here's video from the match:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_6ArOlazoM]

NETHERLANDS 3, ENGLAND 2

Arjen Robben broke England's collective heart with a stoppage-time goal that came on the heels of Ashley Young's dramatic equalizer, leading the Dutch to a wild victory at Wembley Stadium.

After a fruitless first half, the Netherlands scored in consecutive minutes, with Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar getting on the board. 

With England looking just about finished, Gary Cahill and Young scored in a five minute span at the end of the second half to seemingly salvage a draw before Robben found the back of the next just seconds after for his second goal of the match.

Here's video of the wild friendly:

SPAIN 5, VENEZUELA 0

Roberto Soldado notched a hat trick to pace the World Champions past a Venezuela side that was reduced to 10 men midway through the second half.

Soldado could've had four goals, but he had a spot kick saved after Fernando Amorebieta was sent off for pulling down the Valencia striker.

Iniesta and David Silva also got on the board for Spain.

Here are highlights of the rout:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lih-r8jGwWo]

FRANCE 2, GERMANY 1

Olivier Giroud and Florent Malouda got on the board, as France continued its comeback under Laurent Blanc and stretched its unbeaten streak to 18 games with an impressive victory over a Germany side that had a number of regulars in its lineup but was not at full strength.

Cacau pulled a goal back for the hosts in second-half stoppage time, finishing off a cross from Thomas Mueller.

GHANA 1, CHILE 1

Matias Fernandez' 75th-minute penalty kick cancelled out Richard Mpong's opener, as the two sides battled to a draw at PPL Park.

Dominic Oduro started for Ghana but only lasted 17 minutes before being pulled in favor of Mpong for an undisclosed injury, according to the Chicago Fire website. Patrick Nyarko came off the bench at halftime, as the two Fire attackers earned their first caps.

ARMENIA 3, CANADA 1

Canada started brightly but couldn't maintain that throughout, as Marcos Pizzelli's brace led the Armenians to a victory in Cyprus.

Toronto FC Designated Player Julian de Guzman set up the Canadians' fifth minute goal, assisting Kevin McKenna for the early opener.

SLOVENIA 1, SCOTLAND 1

The next opponent for the U.S. men's national team tied a recent opponent, as Scotland's Christophe Berra cancelled out Andraz Kirm's goal and the draw.

Vancouver Whitecaps summer-arriving DP Barry Robson entered the match as a late substitute for Scotland, who will play the United States in Jacksonville on May 26 in the next match for the senior national team.

COSTA RICA 1, WALES 0

Arsenal youngster and rising CONCACAF star Joel Campbell scored the lone goal in a friendly that doubled as the Gary Speed memorial match.

Portland Timbers fullback Rodney Wallace started and played 68 minutes for Los Ticos, while New York Red Bulls defender Roy Miller went the distance.

IRELAND 1, CZECH REPUBLIC 1

Simon Cox scored in the 86th minute to rescue a draw for the Irish. Milan Baros had tallied for the Czechs in the 50th minute.

Los Angeles Galaxy DP Robbie Keane started and played the opening 71 minutes for Ireland.

ESTONIA 2, EL SALVADOR 0

Unruly fans caused a premature end to Estonia's victory, which took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

With fans throwing projectiles onto the field and at officials, the match was stopped in the 89th minute by referee Ricardo Salazar. Ragnar Klavan and Raio Piroja accounted for the scoring for Estonia.

Timbers defender Steve Purdy started and played 88 minutes for El Salvador but left the match with an eye injury and had to be taken to a hospital, according to the Associated Press. Red Bulls midfielder Joel Lindpere went the distance for Estonia.

JAMAICA 3, NEW ZEALAND 2

The Reggae Boyz took to the road and came away with a victory, with Navion Boyd's goal proving to be the difference.

The Houston Dynamo's Jermaine Taylor and JeVaughn Watson and the Colorado Rapids' Omar Cummings all started for Jamaica, while Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Dan Keat earned his first cap, coming off the bench for New Zealand.

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What did you think of all of Wednesday's international action? What results stood out for you?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I think you need to look at CR7’s #s in the EPL again lol plus, he’s playing with alot more talent at Real than he did when he was with man u.

    Reply
  2. Falcao has accomplished alot more in europe than chicharito. Sweet pea really just had 1 good year for Man U last year. Lots of potential, but in terms of what they’ve accomplished, Falcao leads hernandez by miles…

    Reply

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