(CNN) It was a night of game-changing goals and historic achievements for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the pair cemented their place as two of the greatest players of all time.
In Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, Messi and his Argentinian team-mates played on home soil for the first time since their World Cup triumph just over three months ago.
They were greeted like heroes by more than 80,000 fervent fans at River Plate’s legendary Estadio Monumental in a night of celebration that likely lasted well into the morning.
The players were presented with the World Cup trophy, which they carried around the stadium after beating Panama 2-0 in a friendly, and jerseys embroidered with three gold stars to symbolize the country’s three World Cup triumphs.
The players of the team that won the World Cup in Qatar were all called up to the national team for those two friendlies against Panama and Curaçao so they could enjoy their moment of glory.
Lionel Messi is lifted by his Argentinian teammates as they celebrate the World Cup win.
By the time kick-off rang, the festivities at the stadium – complete with DJs, bands, fireworks and an 80,000-strong sing-along – had been going on for more than four hours, with the game itself becoming little more than a footnote.
It took 78 minutes for Argentina to break through against the largely Panamanian reserve side, with Thiago Almada scoring the first goal.
Then, with just a minute left, Messi’s moment of glory came as he secured victory with a stunning free-kick. It was his 99th international goal and the 800th of his professional career.
“I’ve always dreamed of this moment, celebrating with you in my country, Argentina, and winning the greatest thing, which is the World Cup,” Messi said at the closing ceremony.
“Let’s get on with what we’re doing and enjoy this because we’ve waited a long time to win it again. Let’s enjoy the third star.”
Ronaldo breaks appearance record, increases goal record
That same evening, Ronaldo broke the man’s record for most caps when he earned his 197th cap for Portugal in the team’s Euro 2024 qualifying win over Liechtenstein.
The previous record of 196 was held by Kuwait forward Bader Al-Mutawa.
Ronaldo scored twice – a penalty and a stunning free-kick – in the 4-0 win as Portugal’s campaign got off to a perfect start, with João Cancelo and Bernardo Silva also scoring.
No player has played more games for his country than Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 38-year-old made his debut for Portugal in 2008 and has now scored a record 120 international goals.
Elsewhere in Euro 2024 qualifying, Harry Kane drove some of the demons out of Qatar by scoring a penalty and becoming England’s all-time top scorer with 54 goals.
After missing a penalty against France in the quarter-finals that would have leveled England and given them the record, Kane said it “means a lot” to break the record from the penalty spot.
Wayne Rooney, who has held the record as England’s top scorer since 2015, tweeted: “Congratulations to Harry Kane on becoming England’s all-time top scorer.
“I knew it wouldn’t take long but it happened quickly. A great man, an incredible goalscorer and an English legend.”