Lionel Messi came off the bench in the second half to a loud ovation from the Argentine fans in La Bombonera, but failed to impact the score in a friendly in his native country.
Still, the defending World Cup champions won a tune-up on a rainy night in Buenos Aires.
Enzo Fernández scored in the 17th minute, Nico Paz scored the first goal of his career with the national team in the 31st minute and Argentina beat Mauritania 2-1 on Friday, March 27.
Highlight of the night: Jordan Lefort’s 93rd minute goal before the final whistle – a big moment for Mauritania, who were ranked 115th in the world entering the contest.
“Today the team was not good, it’s good to say,” Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni said after the game. “We have to work and correct it.”
Argentina (also two-time defending Copa América champions) were supposed to face Spain, the reigning Euro champions, in the Finalísima showdown in Qatar on this same date. The match was eventually canceled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
After two relatively quick goals, Argentina played conservatively in the second half despite the weather and being a heavy favorite against their African counterparts.
The Mauritanians Ibrahima Keita (21′), Oumar Ngom (45′), Aboubakary Koita (65′) and Souleymane Anne (89′) tested the Argentine goalkeeper Dibu Martínez before the final score of the match.
“In the second half we lacked intensity,” Martínez said. “We have to do better. It’s true that we haven’t played together for a long time and we also rotated the team a bit.”
Chelsea midfielder Fernández finished off a cross into the area from Nahuel Molina to score the first goal of the game.
Watch Argentina vs. Mauritania on Prime Video
Paz, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder for Serie A club Como, which is competing for a place in the World Cup, scored a free kick with his left boot. He even received applause from Messi on the bench after the score.
As for Messi, he did his best to work with his teammates with quick tiki-taka passes to no avail outside of a clear opportunity at the net.
Messi took at least one shot in the match, missing the right end of the net in the 55th minute. Following the sequence, Mauritanian defenders Maata Magassa and Aly Abeid apologized to Messi for their aggressive challenge against him.
Argentina will face Zambia in La Bombonera on March 31 in another match in this current FIFA international window.
Messi will return to MLS side Inter Miami after the match, ahead of the club’s opening match at Nu Stadium against Austin FC on April 4.
Highlight of the night: Jordan Lefort’s 93rd minute goal before the final whistle – a big moment for Mauritania, who were ranked 115th in the world entering the contest.
Argentina 2, Mauritania 0: Martínez saves Koita’s shot
Mauritania’s Aboubakary Koita shot into the area, cleared by Argentine goalkeeper Dibu Martínez in the 65th minute.
Messi shot in the 55th minute, but missed from the right. The sequence was highlighted by Mauritanian defenders Maata Magassa and Aly Abeid, apologizing to Messi for making contact in the attempt.
Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, who recently suffered a muscle contusion, came on in the second half to close out this match. Franco Mastantuono, from Real Madrid, will also enter for Argentina.
Just before half-time, Argentine goalkeeper Dibu Martínez made a strong save on a shot by Mauritania’s Oumar Ngom in the 45th minute.
Argentina leads 2-0 in this friendly between both clubs while Messi sat on the bench in the first half. It is possible that he will enter the game as a substitute in the second half.
Enzo Fernández (17′) and Nico Paz (31′) scored for Argentina.
Nico Paz, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder for Serie A club Como, which is competing for a place in the World Cup, scores a free kick with his left boot in the 31st minute. The first goal of his career for Argentina comes to applause from Messi on the bench. Argentina leads 2-0.
Enzo Fernández, Chelsea midfielder, finishes a cross into the area from Nahuel Molina for the first goal of the game in the 17th minute. Argentina leads 1-0.
Messi could see some action, but he will not start. It is likely that he can come off the bench in this match.
Here are the starting lineups for both clubs:
Argentina Channel vs. Mauritania, start time, streaming
This looks more like an exhibition match than a competitive friendly. Argentina is likely to put on a show in front of an energetic and passionate home crowd.
Prediction: Argentina 5, Mauritania 0
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi “earned the right” to weigh his decision, adding that there was “no rush” in the choice. Here’s the latest.
Leo Messi’s stand at the Nu Stadium was announced by the club on Friday, March 27, ahead of the opening match on April 4 against Austin FC.
