Messi hat-trick helps Argentina beat Brazil 4-3 in friendly

Messi finished the season with a club and country record 82 goals, scoring all three times off sizzling dashes through the Brazil defense.

Argentina's Lionel Messi scores a goal against Brazil during an international friendly on Saturday. PIC/AFP

Romulo opened the scoring in the 23rd minute for five-time world champions Brazil. Messi gave Argentina a 2-1 lead with goals in the 31st and 34th minute on superb runs. Brazil's Oscar tied the score in the 56th minute and Hulk converted a corner kick dropped by goalkeeper Sergio Romero in the 72nd.

Argentina rallied three minutes later when Federico Fernandez scored off a corner kick by Sergio Aguero. In the 84th, Messi picked up the ball at midfield, charged ahead and blasted a left-footed shot from 21 yards that went in just below the crossbar.