Lionel Messi brought his Argentina career to a fitting close on Tuesday, October 6, converting a 71st-minute penalty in a 3–0 international friendly victory over Benin at the Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires.
After a goalless first half, Nicolás Otamendi broke the deadlock in the 48th minute and substitute Nico Paz doubled the advantage in the 61st. Messi then supplied the farewell goal, completing a decisive second-half spell for the hosts.
Argentina find the breakthrough after the interval
Benin reached half-time level at 0–0, keeping the fixture competitive through the opening 45 minutes. Otamendi’s yellow card in the 44th minute was the only booking before the break.
The Argentina defender made a different kind of contribution shortly after the restart, opening the scoring in the 48th minute. That breakthrough shifted the contest in the hosts’ favour, with Benin’s Mohamed Tijani booked seven minutes later.
Paz extended Argentina’s lead in the 61st minute. The substitute’s goal gave the hosts breathing room and left Benin facing a two-goal deficit heading into the final half-hour.
Messi delivers the farewell moment
The defining moment arrived in the 71st minute, when Messi converted from the penalty spot to make it 3–0. On his last appearance for Argentina, the captain added one final goal to his international story.
Argentina’s overall numbers underlined their superiority: 65.2% possession, 19 attempts and 12 shots on target. Benin finished with seven attempts, two on target, while the hosts also held an 8–2 advantage in corners.
Benin’s resistance before the interval ensured Argentina had to wait for their breakthrough, but three goals across 23 second-half minutes settled the result. A clean sheet completed a convincing victory, with Messi’s 71st-minute penalty providing the lasting image of his farewell in Buenos Aires.
