Lionel Messi ended his final appearance for Argentina in unforgettable fashion as the captain scored one goal and provided two assists in a 3-0 victory over Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The friendly was played in front of more than 85,000 supporters, but while Argentina’s victory was important on the pitch, the night was largely defined by the emotional farewell to Messi, who wore the famous Argentina No. 10 shirt for the final time in front of his home supporters.
Messi’s emotions were visible even before the match began. The Argentina captain wiped away tears as he arrived at the stadium, while the crowd gave him a huge reception. He was also visibly emotional during the national anthem as the stadium joined in a powerful rendition before kick-off.
A giant Argentina shirt carrying Messi’s No. 10 and the word “Gracias” was displayed on the pitch as supporters prepared to celebrate the final appearance of their captain.
Once the match started, however, Messi turned his attention to football.
Argentina controlled much of the first half and looked to break through Benin’s organised defence, but the visitors managed to withstand the pressure. The hosts created opportunities but could not find the decisive finish, while Benin also had moments of threat before the break.
The first half therefore ended goalless, leaving Argentina needing something special after the interval.
That breakthrough arrived just three minutes into the second half.
In the 48th minute, Messi delivered a dangerous ball from a corner following a short-corner routine. Nicolás Otamendi attacked the delivery and finished from close range to put Argentina 1-0 ahead.
The goal immediately lifted the atmosphere inside the Monumental, with Messi once again at the centre of the celebration as his teammates surrounded him.
Argentina continued to dominate after taking the lead, and Messi remained heavily involved in the attacking play.
The second goal arrived in the 61st minute.
Messi produced another moment of quality when he found Nico Paz with a precise pass. Paz took the opportunity and finished calmly with his left foot into the far corner, extending Argentina’s advantage to 2-0.
With two assists already to his name, Messi then had his own opportunity to get on the scoresheet.
Argentina were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute after Agustín Giay was brought down inside the box. Messi stepped forward to take responsibility, with the entire stadium waiting for what would become one of the most memorable moments of the night.
The Argentina captain calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and converted from the spot to make it 3-0.
Messi immediately celebrated with his teammates before acknowledging the supporters. It was his final goal in an Argentina shirt, and the significance of the moment was not lost on anyone inside the stadium.
Benin struggled to respond after Argentina’s third goal, while the hosts comfortably controlled the remainder of the contest. Argentina’s three second-half goals had turned a tight first half into a convincing victory.
When the final whistle arrived, the football gave way to emotion.
Messi stood on the pitch and took in the atmosphere as supporters continued to chant his name. His teammates gathered around him, while players from Benin also joined in the farewell to the Argentina captain.
The stadium then became a celebration of Messi’s final night with the national team. A drone display illuminated the sky with images and messages dedicated to the Argentine star, while the crowd continued to applaud and sing in his honour.
Messi was visibly emotional as he waved to the supporters, taking in the final moments of a night that had begun with tears and ended with another memorable performance in the famous blue and white shirt.
For Argentina, the result was a 3-0 victory. Otamendi scored in the 48th minute, Nico Paz doubled the lead in the 61st minute, and Messi completed the scoring from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.
For Messi, it was much more than another international victory. He finished his final Argentina appearance with a goal, two assists and an emotional farewell in front of the supporters who had watched his journey with the national team for more than two decades.
Final Score: Argentina 3-0 Benin
Goals:
Nicolás Otamendi 48′
Nico Paz 61′
Lionel Messi 71′ pen
