BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — The Argentine national football team secured a 2-1 victory against Mauritania in an international friendly match at La Bombonera stadium on Friday. The encounter served dual purposes: allowing coach Lionel Scaloni to assess his squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup and providing fans an opportunity to voice their overwhelming support for captain Lionel Messi.
The match unfolded with Enzo Fernández opening the scoring in the 17th minute, capitalizing on a precise cross from Atlético Madrid right-back Nahuel Molina. Nicolás Paz doubled Argentina’s advantage in the 32nd minute with a brilliantly executed left-footed free kick that penetrated Mauritania’s defensive wall, leaving goalkeeper Babacar Diop with no chance of intervention.
The atmosphere intensified dramatically when Messi emerged for his warm-up routine, triggering passionate chants of “With Leo Messi leading the way, we’re all going to celebrate” from the Argentine supporters. A massive banner proclaiming “The best of the century” was unfurled from one of the stands, underscoring the emotional connection between the 38-year-old icon and his adoring public.
Messi entered the match in the second half alongside Franco Mastantuono, a promising Real Madrid talent competing for a World Cup roster spot. The Inter Miami star created Argentina’s clearest scoring opportunity in the 55th minute with a powerful long-range effort that required an impressive save from Diop.
This friendly was arranged as an emergency replacement after Argentina’s scheduled Finalissima match against European champions Spain in Qatar was canceled due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. With limited options available, the world champions settled on matches against Mauritania (ranked 115th by FIFA) and Zambia (91st) to complete their World Cup preparations.
National teams face a May 30 deadline to submit their final 26-player rosters for the tournament. Argentina, drawn in Group J, will begin their title defense against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, followed by matches against Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27.