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Khaled Saifulla 18 Nov 2025 , 7:33 AM Print Edition
LUANDA, Angola, November 14, 2025 – World champions Argentina defeated Angola 2-0 in an international friendly on Friday. Football icon Lionel Messi closed out the year with a strong performance, scoring one goal and creating the other.
The match took place in Luanda at the Estadio 11 de Novembro. Angola hosted Argentina as part of the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence celebrations. Argentina reportedly received a fee of $12 million for the appearance, attracting over 50,000 spectators.
Lautaro Martínez and Lionel Messi were the night’s key figures. The victory marks Argentina’s final international fixture of the 2025 calendar year.
Argentina controlled possession throughout the encounter against the 87-places lower-ranked Angolan side.
44th Minute (1-0): Lionel Messi opened up the game with a precise through ball. Striker Lautaro Martínez finished the play, securing the lead just before halftime.
82nd Minute (2-0): The roles reversed for the clincher. Martínez turned provider, setting up Messi. The 38-year-old captain then struck the ball low into the far corner of the net for his 115th international goal.
Messi’s goal prompted a standing ovation from the crowd when he was substituted in the 86th minute. His performance capped an extraordinary year:
The Argentine recorded 62 total goal contributions across club and country in 2025.
His assist to Martínez tied his personal record for most assists to a single player (nine) for the national team.
Coach Lionel Scaloni used the match to assess fringe players before the 2026 World Cup campaign. Argentina had already secured their place at the tournament by topping the South American qualifiers.
