Football legend Lionel Messi was the hero as Argentina defeated Angola 2-0 in an international friendly in Luanda on Friday. Messi created the first goal and scored the second, helping the world champions celebrate a comfortable win.
Messi set up Lautaro Martinez to score in the 44th minute, giving Argentina the lead. The roles were reversed in the 82nd minute, with Martinez assisting and Messi finishing with a precise strike into the far corner of the net. Both players were later substituted in the second half.
The match at Angola’s national stadium also marked the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence. It was a predictable result given Argentina’s ranking as second in the world, 87 places above Angola, highlighting the gap in experience and quality between the sides.
Although Angola shocked the world by qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, they have struggled in recent campaigns. The Black Antelopes managed only two wins in 10 qualifiers for the 2026 tournament, finishing 11 points behind group winners Cape Verde. Meanwhile, Argentina topped their South American qualifying group with 38 points, nine ahead of Ecuador, securing their spot for the 2026 World Cup.
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