Lionel Messi Scores in Final Match with Argentina, Top Moments, Highlights and Reaction

It's only fitting that Lionel Messi is going out a winner with a brilliant individual performance.

The soccer legend played his final international game for Argentina on Tuesday and led his side to a 3-0 win over Benin in a friendly at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires with a goal and two assists.

His assists started the scoring in the second half, while his goal came on a penalty kick and provided some insurance for the victors.

The actual game took a backseat to the celebration of an iconic career, as the 39-year-old's resume with his nation includes the 2022 World Cup championship, three World Cup final appearances, two Copa América titles and 126 goals over the course of 21 years.

Tuesday's game was always going to be a spectacle given Messi's overall importance to Argentina and the sport of soccer as a whole.

He even revealed leading up to the contest he was going to wear a jersey with gold numbers, writing, "Último partido… Una camiseta para toda la vida ❤️One last match… A jersey for a lifetime," on Instagram .

It was an emotional scene before the game kicked off, as Messi walked out with his children and had tears in his eyes during the national anthem. Benin captain Sessi D'Almeida also gave him a gift prior to the coin toss.

Benin players were also among those who recognized No. 10's greatness when the match was paused in the 10th minute:

The crowd was anxious for a memorable moment in the game as well, but Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou had other ideas in the early going. He saved all four of Argentina's shots on goal in the first half and preserved a scoreless tie into intermission.

Messi was aggressive with four shots himself in the first half, but none of them found the back of the net despite all the fanfare.

It was just a matter of time before someone scored for Argentina, though, and Nicolás Otamendi buried a shot off Messi's corner kick. It wasn't a goal for the legend, but he tallied the assist on a perfectly placed cross.

Messi assisted Argentina's second goal as well when Nico Paz took his pass and connected on a left-footed shot from outside the box.

But the fans wanted to see a Messi goal as well, and they finally got it in the 71st minute on a penalty strike.

All that was left to do from there was celebrate his greatness, which is something Argentina fans have grown accustomed to throughout his career.