Lionel Messi delivered a goal and an assist as Argentina marked Angola’s 50th independence anniversary with a 2-0 win in Luanda on 14 November 2025. The world champions, playing their only match of the international break, fielded a strong side despite several absences, and Messi once again proved decisive in a fixture that tested Argentina more than expected.
Argentina controlled possession early, but Angola impressed with their pressing and direct counter-attacks. The hosts even forced a big save from Rulli when Banza fired from a tight angle. Messi had two early sights of goal – one pushed away by the goalkeeper, another skied after a cut-back – as Argentina gradually settled into rhythm.
The breakthrough arrived in the 43rd minute. Messi slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Lautaro Martínez, who finished low at the near post to give Argentina a 1-0 lead before half-time. Angola, however, refused to fold and continued to trouble the visitors with pace on the break, particularly through Luvombo.
The second half began with Angola pushing harder, winning successive corners and carving out a few promising moments. Messi, meanwhile, struggled with his finishing until producing the decisive moment in the 82nd minute. After losing the ball at the edge of the box, the loose clearance fell to Lautaro, who immediately returned it. Messi steadied himself and drilled a powerful shot into the far corner to seal the result. It was his goal and earlier assist that ultimately separated the two sides.
Argentina made several changes late on, including the debut of Kevin Mac Allister, who joined his brother Alexis on the pitch. Scaloni’s side, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, used the occasion to fine-tune combinations and maintain rhythm ahead of next year’s title defence.
For Angola, who missed out on World Cup qualification, the performance offered encouragement despite the defeat. They created chances, matched Argentina’s physicality, and were applauded by home supporters at the 11 November Stadium for their resilience.
In the end, Messi’s quality proved the difference once more, guiding Argentina to a controlled but hard-earned win to close out their 2025 fixtures.
