BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Lionel Messi delivered a vintage performance, scoring and assisting as Argentina cruised to a 5-0 victory over Zambia in a friendly match at La Bombonera on Tuesday. The game, billed as a potential farewell for the 38-year-old superstar on home soil, saw Messi orchestrate the attack and delight the passionate Buenos Aires crowd. The win comes as Argentina prepares to defend its title at the 2026 World Cup, and serves as a positive send-off ahead of the tournament.
The match wasn’t an isolated event; nine teams participating in the 2026 World Cup were in action on Tuesday night, including all three host nations. Although, the United States, Mexico, and Canada were all unable to secure victories in their respective contests.
Argentina, fresh off a narrow 2-1 win against Mauritania over the weekend, displayed a dominant performance against Zambia. Messi set the tone early, providing an assist for Julián Álvarez in just the 4th minute. He then added a goal of his own before halftime, marking his 116th international goal in 198 appearances. The goal was also Messi’s 902nd career goal further cementing his legendary status.
The second half saw Argentina extend their lead with goals from Nicolás Otamendi – awarded a penalty kick by Messi himself in a gesture of respect for the veteran defender’s final home game – an own goal by Zambia’s Chanda, and a late strike from Valentín Barco. The team largely mirrored the lineup that triumphed in the 2022 World Cup final against France, with the notable absence of Ángel Di María, who has already retired from international duty.
Elsewhere, the United States suffered a 2-0 defeat to Portugal in Atlanta. Portugal was without Cristiano Ronaldo due to injury, but Trincao and João Félix stepped up to secure the win. The US team had previously endured a heavy 5-2 loss to Belgium, highlighting areas for improvement as they prepare for the World Cup.
Belgium continued their impressive unbeaten run, extending it to 11 matches with a 1-1 draw against Mexico in Chicago. After falling behind to a goal from Julián Sánchez, Dodi Lukebakio equalized for Belgium after halftime.
Canada played to a 0-0 draw with Tunisia in Toronto, failing to find the back of the net despite a recent run of form that saw them come back from two goals down to secure a draw against Iceland. Tunisia, under new coach Sabri Lamouchi, continues to struggle for consistent performance.
In Orlando, Florida, Brazil avenged their quarterfinal defeat to Croatia at the last World Cup with a 3-1 victory. The match was tightly contested until the late stages, with Danilo opening the scoring for Brazil. Majer equalized for Croatia, but Thiago converted a penalty and Martinelli added a late goal to seal the win for Brazil. Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti has experienced mixed results with Brazil, having previously suffered defeats against Bolivia, Japan, and France.
Croatia, despite the loss, has enjoyed a strong run of form, winning eight of their last nine matches, with their only blemish being a goalless draw in Prague.
Key Results from Tuesday’s Friendlies
- USA – Portugal 0:2 (37’ Trincao, 59’ Felix)
- Argentina – Zambia 5:0 (4’ Alvarez, 43’ Messi, 50’ Otamendi (pen.), 68’ Chanda (OG), 90+4’ Barco)
- Canada – Tunisia 0:0
- Brazil – Croatia 3:1 (45+2’ Danilo, 88’ Thiago (pen.), 90+2’ Martinelli – 84’ Majer)
- Mexico – Belgium 1:1 (19’ J. Sanchez – 46’ Lukebakio)
For Messi and Argentina, the victory was more than just a win; it was a celebration of a remarkable career and a potential farewell to a beloved icon in front of his home fans. The performance underscored Messi’s continued importance to the national team as they look ahead to defending their World Cup title. The upcoming tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle, and these friendly matches provide valuable preparation for the challenges that lie ahead.
Argentina’s next confirmed match is yet to be announced, but details will be released through official team channels. Fans can stay updated on the latest news and schedules by following the Argentine Football Association’s official website and social media accounts.
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