Key Takeaways:
- Argentina claimed a 5-0 victory against Zambia in Buenos Aires, extending their record to eight wins in ten games against African opponents
- Lionel Messi registered his eighth assist in nine international matches at La Bombonera and scored once, possibly marking his final home international appearance
- Argentina achieved their 26th clean sheet in 31 wins since December 2022, while Zambia lost their fifth match against a South American team and conceded at least twice for the fifth consecutive friendly
Match Breakdown
Argentina produced a dominant 5-0 display over Zambia last night in Buenos Aires, maintaining an impressive streak of results against African nations. The encounter at La Bombonera was tinged with emotion, as speculation mounted that this might be Lionel Messi’s final international on home soil.
The hosts wasted little time imposing themselves, taking the lead within three minutes. Messi supplied a precise pass to Julian Alvarez, who promptly finished into the bottom-left corner past Willard Mwanza, setting Argentina on track for their fifth successive win. Alvarez nearly turned provider shortly afterwards, but his potential assist was cut out by the Zambian defence.
𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 🇦🇷✨
In what might be his last ever game in Argentina, Messi delivers with ⚽➕🅰️ 🥹
But it was also a special evening for 38-year-old Otamendi, who most likely also played his last game… pic.twitter.com/ZAlzPIbegk
— 433 (@433) April 1, 2026
Messi’s Influence and Argentina’s Ruthless Efficiency
Zambia, whose defensive frailties were well-documented having conceded three or more in every prior encounter against non-African opposition this decade, rarely threatened. Although Argentina did not need to exert themselves fully, they doubled their advantage just before half-time. Alexis Mac Allister sent a sublime through ball to Messi, who clinically struck into the bottom-right corner from close range.
The contest became unassailable for the visitors five minutes after the restart. Albert Kangwanda brought down Thiago Almada in the area, resulting in a penalty. In a symbolic gesture, Messi handed penalty duties to vice captain Nicolás Otamendi, who calmly dispatched his effort straight down the middle.
Late Goals and Defensive Records
With victory assured – marking an 11th win in their last 13 encounters – Argentina resumed their festivities. The deficit was widened further on 68 minutes, when Valentin Barco and Almada combined before Almada’s cross deflected off Dominic Chanda and found the net for an own goal.
The world champions capped the performance deep in stoppage time; Barco struck Argentina’s fifth, underscoring the gulf in class and securing a routine win. This emphatic result delivered their 26th clean sheet from 31 wins since December 2022, while Zambia’s search for a breakthrough against South American opposition continues. The visitors have now shipped at least two goals in each of their last five friendlies.
