2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Lionel Messi scores 50th international goal Tuesday March 29,2016

Lionel Messi scored his 50th international goal as Argentina defeated Bolivia2-0 to advance their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign on Tuesday March 29,2016

Barcelona superstar Messi emphatically netted a 30th-minute penalty at the Estadio Mario Kempes in Cordoba as Argentina wrapped up their third consecutive qualifying victory.

Lionel Messi`s spot-kick followed defender Gabriel Mercado putting Argentina ahead after 20 minutes with his second goal in as many games.

The victory cements Argentina`s place in the automatic qualification berths of South America`s round-robin competition with 11 points from six games.

Lionel Messi`s penalty makes him only the second player in Argentinian history to reach a half century of goals for the two-time World Cup winners.

Lionel Messi is now closing in on legendary scorer Gabriel Batistuta`s record of 56 goals set between 1991 and 2002.

Argentina's all-time leading goalscorers
Gabriel Batistuta: 56
Lionel Messi: 50
Hernan Crespo: 35
Diego Maradona: 34
Sergio Aguero: 32