Argentina's seven-goal demolition of visitors Curacao on Tuesday saw the return of Giovani Lo Celso who demonstrated why the three-time world champions badly missed the on-loan Villarreal midfielder during their Qatar World Cup campaign last year despite eventually having gone on to bag the ultimate prize in the sport.

Injury had denied Lo Celso a place at the showpiece event after having played a pivotal role in Albiceleste's splendid run in leading up to the World Cup, comprising its qualifiers and the 2021 Copa America. As far as Argentina were concerned, Lo Celso was irreplaceable since his proven chemistry with Lionel Messi was a cut above the rest.

That notion got verified in the friendly against Curacao as well; even though, more often than not, match statistics do not reflect the impact of a midfielder. Lo Celso registered two assists which Messi converted in a ruthless first-half hat-trick completed in the span of 18 minutes -- the first of which resulted in the Argentine talisman's landmark 100th goal in national colours.   

Messi hugs Lo Celso after scoring against Curacao. Photo: AFP

Last year, when Saudi Arabia ended Argentina's 36-match unbeaten run in the two side's campaign opener in Qatar, Lo Celso's void was felt up a few notches. However, the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez stepped up in the midfield to guide the Messi-led side to their first World Cup in 36 years.

Enzo Fernandez celebrates his goal with Lo Celso. Photo: AFP

Naturally, the 26-year-old was emotionally overwhelmed on his return to the playing eleven, and that too in front of 42,000 rapturous home crowd engaged in non-stop celebration in Santiago del Estero.

"It's a very emotional moment for me, to put this shirt on again and to enjoy it with teammates on the pitch. I tried to enjoy it to the fullest with our team and our people," Lo Celso said after the match.

It has been quite an emotional rollercoaster ride for Lo Celso, he informed while briefly revisiting his recent journey. 

"It was very moving from the start. When I found out that the injury would prevent me from playing in the World Cup, I locked myself up and cried. But life gives and takes away. I was able to be at the birth of my daughter," he said. 

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged that the likes of Lo Celso and Nicolas Gonzalez -- also robbed off a spot in Qatar -- "bring lot of things on the pitch" for Argentina.   

"Everyone knows that Nicolas Gonzalez and Giovani Lo Celso were in the World Cup list. They were always in the cycle and they deserve to be in this celebration," Scaloni told reporters post-match.