Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Angola in a friendly match held in Luanda on Friday. This event celebrated the 50th anniversary of Angola’s independence.
Lionel Messi Shines with Key Goal
Superstar Lionel Messi played a pivotal role in the match, scoring one of the goals. He assisted Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez, who opened the scoring with a low shot just before halftime at the 44-minute mark.
Match Highlights
- Final Score: Argentina 2, Angola 0
- Location: Luanda, Angola
- Date: Recent Friday
- Goals:
- Lautaro Martinez (44th minute)
- Lionel Messi (82nd minute)
Martinez later turned from scorer to provider. He set up Messi for the second goal, capitalizing on a defensive clearance from Angola. Both players were substituted towards the end of the match.
Significance of the Match
The friendly was Argentina’s only preparation game during this international break. Originally, they had intended to play India, but that match was canceled.
Argentina is already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The match against Angola came about following a visit to Buenos Aires by the president of the Angolan Football Federation on April 30.
Financial Controversy
The hosting of the match raised concerns due to its cost. Reports indicate that the Angolan government spent around €12 million to bring the Argentine team for this celebration.
This expenditure sparked controversy, especially amid an ongoing economic crisis in Angola. In August, four Angolan NGOs had urged the Argentine side to withdraw from the match after protests against rising fuel prices led to civilian casualties.
Despite these challenges, Lionel Messi’s performance reinforced Argentina’s footballing prowess on the international stage.
