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Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez led Argentina to a 2-0 win over Angola in Luanda, celebrating 50 years of Angolan independence.
Lionel Messi starred as Argentina beat Angola 2-0 in Luanda (X)
Lionel Messi delivered another composed and influential performance, scoring his first goal on African soil, as Argentina defeated Angola 2-0 in Luanda on Friday, in a friendly arranged to celebrate 50 years of Angolan independence. In front of a packed crowd at the Estadio Nacional 11 de Novembro, where tickets were sold for just $1, the world champions showcased a professional display centred around the partnership between Messi and Lautaro Martinez.
Argentina opened the scoring two minutes before halftime when Messi, finding space on the right, delivered a precise, defence-splitting pass to Martínez. The Inter forward met the ball cleanly, smashing home his 36th international goal, giving Argentina a deserved 1–0 lead. The understanding between Messi and Martínez was evident again in the final stages, with roles reversed. With seven minutes left, Martinez slid a pass into Messi’s path inside the box, and the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner guided a low finish into the far corner for his 115th goal for Argentina. Both players were substituted shortly after, having already determined the outcome.
$12 Million Per Goal…
The match, reportedly secured with a $12 million appearance fee, was Argentina’s only fixture of the international window, providing a low-intensity tune-up for Lionel Scaloni’s squad. For Angola, it served as a crucial test ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, where they will face heavyweights Egypt, South Africa, and Zimbabwe in a challenging group.
While the result was expected — Argentina entered the game ranked second in the world, a massive 87 places above Angola — the occasion held symbolic significance for the hosts. For Argentina, the game followed their successful qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, where they topped the South American standings with 38 points from 18 matches.
Angola, meanwhile, continue their quest to return to the global stage. Their historic 2006 World Cup qualification remains their only appearance, and after winning just two of their qualifiers for 2026, they fell short this time. Nevertheless, the night was about football and celebration, and Messi once again delivered moments of effortless quality.
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
November 15, 2025, 07:43 IST
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