Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez delivered goals, leading world champions Argentina to a 2-0 friendly victory over Angola in Luanda, wrapping up their 2025 campaign.
Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions, secured a 2-0 friendly victory over Angola in Luanda on Friday, with star forwards Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez combining for both goals.
The match, which closed Argentina’s 2025 campaign, was a special engagement held in the Angolan capital to celebrate the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence from Portugal.
Martínez broke the deadlock just before halftime in the 43rd minute. Messi provided a pinpoint pass from the right side, which Martínez drilled into the back of the net for his 36th international goal, allowing him to pass Hernán Crespo for fourth place on Argentina’s all-time scoring list.
The dominant pairing reversed roles to seal the result eight minutes from the end, in the 82nd minute.
Martínez turned provider, playing Messi into space in the box, and the veteran forward struck the ball low into the far corner of the net for his 115th goal in 196 internationals.
Despite starting slow, Argentina, which featured eight starters from the 2022 World Cup final, maintained control throughout, commanding 65 per cent of possession.
The high-profile friendly came with a significant price tag, as Angola reportedly paid $12 million to host the world champions.
Officials ensured the public could participate by selling tickets to the 48,000-seater Estadio Nacional 11 de Novembro for just $1.