Key Takeaways:
- Lionel Messi played his 208th and final match for Argentina, scoring once and providing two assists in a 3-0 win against Benin
- Argentina extended their unbeaten record at home to 11 matches (10 wins, 1 draw) with their last home defeat in November 2023
- Benin suffered only their second loss in seven internationals, having not played at home since June 2023
Match Summary
Lionel Messi’s illustrious international career concluded in front of 80,000 fans at the Estadio Monumental, where Argentina dispatched Benin with a 3-0 friendly victory. Marking his 208th and last cap, Messi delivered two assists and found the scoresheet himself, ensuring an emotional send-off.
Opening Half: Frustrated Exchanges
A delayed kick-off did little to faze Messi, who recorded the first shot on target within seven minutes. At the ten-minute mark, play paused to allow the entire stadium to honour the departing legend with rapturous applause.
Despite the atmosphere, Benin displayed composure, creating clear chances through Aiyegun Tosin and Junior Olaitan, both narrowly missing opportunities that could have given the visitors a surprise lead.
Messi frequently found himself surrounded by Benin defenders as his teammates sought to feed him, rendering Argentina’s attacks predictable and easier to nullify. The home captain managed to test Marcel Dandjinou with a signature curling free kick, while a deft volley from Lautaro Martinez’s cross narrowly missed the mark.
As frustration mounted for the hosts, Argentina’s goalkeeper Emi Martinez was twice called into action late in the first half, keeping the scores level at the interval.
#AD10S 🐐
𝙔 𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙤 𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙟𝙤𝙨 𝙩𝙪 𝙪́𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖 𝙢𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙖
𝙈𝙚 𝙫𝙤𝙮 𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙤 𝙡𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙤́𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙖 𝙟𝙪𝙜𝙖𝙙𝙖 https://t.co/zKNVwKT3XJ— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) October 7, 2026
Second Half: Messi’s Impact and Argentina’s Domination
Argentina found their breakthrough merely three minutes after the restart. Messi delivered a pinpoint corner for Nicolas Otamendi, who volleyed home spectacularly, recording Messi’s 69th assist in national colours.
Moments later, Messi added to his tally of assists, setting up substitute Nico Paz just over a minute after his introduction. Paz curled an unstoppable effort beyond Dandjinou, extending Argentina’s lead.
Shortly after, Tamimou Ouorou brought down Agustin Giay in the penalty area. Messi emphatically converted the spot-kick, dispatching the ball into the top corner to ignite fervent celebrations among the home supporters.
Despite miscuing a golden chance with the goal at his mercy later on, Messi’s influence had already settled the contest. Argentina managed the closing stages with composure, ensuring their home unbeaten run stretched to 11 matches, a sequence dating back to November 2023.
Benin’s Performance and Recent Form
Benin, for whom this was just their second loss in seven internationals (three wins, two draws), have not featured in a home fixture since June 2023. Their resilience was notable, particularly in the first half, but ultimately Argentina’s class prevailed.
