Alexis Mac Allister returned to action for Brighton against second-tier Middlesbrough in their FA third round fixture on Saturday and the 24-year-old became the first 2022 World Cup-winner to score after club football resumed following the blockbuster event in Qatar.

Having played a pivotal role in the midfield as one of the supporting casts beside Lionel Messi to end Argentina's 36-year World Cup trophy drought, Mac Allister received a hero's welcome at his club before resuming his brilliant form.   

The Argentine playmaker was introduced as a halftime substitute with the score-line at 2-1 for Brighton at the Riverside Stadium. Mac Allister did not waste much time as his cheeky backheel finish in the 58th minute took the game away from the Michael Carrick-coached side. 

Mac Allister celebrates scoring his second goal of the game on January 07, 2022. Photo: Twitter

The Brighton No. 10 then laid the game to rest in the 80th minute, netting his team's fourth and penultimate goal as the player-of-the-match availed a square pass to guide the ball in the far-bottom corner from inside the box.