Argentina beat Benin 3–0 in a friendly in Buenos Aires that marked Lionel Messi’s farewell to the national team. He scored a penalty and set up the other two goals.
Argentina defeated Benin 3–0 at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires in a friendly that marked Lionel Messi’s farewell to the national team.
Fans paid tribute to Messi before kickoff, and he became emotional during the national anthem. Play stopped in the 10th minute so teammates could congratulate him as more than 80,000 spectators applauded.
Messi was directly involved in all three goals. He took the corner from which Nicolás Otamendi scored early in the second half. Ten minutes later Messi assisted Nico Paz, then converted a penalty himself.
Benin goalkeeper Dandjinou saved several Messi attempts in the first half, which ended scoreless. Benin also threatened: Olaitan missed after receiving a cross in the box, and a long-range effort from Ouorou was saved by Emiliano Martínez.
Otamendi, who is also leaving the national team, was applauded as he came off. CNN Brasil reported that Argentina will enter its next FIFA window without Messi for the first time in 20 years. The Argentine Football Association has not yet announced the opponents or dates for November’s matches.