Argentina vs Benin Result: Argentina Win 3-0 in Messi Farewell

Argentina vs Benin finished 3-0 to the world champions at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, 6 October 2026. Nicolás Otamendi opened the scoring, Nicolás Paz added the second and Lionel Messi completed the victory in his final appearance for Argentina.

The first half ended goalless before Argentina took control after the break. The result extended Argentina’s winning run in international friendlies and turned the night into a fitting farewell for Messi, who closed his international career in front of a packed home crowd. Benin competed with discipline for long periods but found it increasingly difficult to contain Argentina once the hosts raised the tempo.

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Benin frustrated Argentina through the first half with a compact defensive shape and disciplined work without the ball. Argentina controlled more of the possession but did not find a breakthrough before the interval.

The match changed after the break. Nicolás Otamendi gave Argentina the lead, Nicolás Paz increased the advantage and Messi scored the third to complete the result. Once the first goal arrived, Argentina moved the ball with greater speed and created more space between Benin’s defensive lines.

The clean sheet also reflected Argentina’s control without the ball. Benin carried some threat on transitions, but Lionel Scaloni’s side limited the number of clear openings and managed the closing stages comfortably.

For more Argentina coverage, read Jordan vs Argentina: World Cup 2026 Group J.

The match carried special significance because it was Lionel Messi’s final appearance for Argentina. The farewell turned the friendly into a national occasion, with the Monumental filled for one final home performance from the captain who led Argentina to the World Cup and Copa América titles.

Messi ended the night by scoring Argentina’s third goal. The finish gave the occasion the moment most supporters had hoped for and brought his international career to a close with another contribution to a win.

The farewell also marked the end of an era for Argentina. The focus now shifts toward the next cycle, with younger players such as Nicolás Paz and other emerging options taking on a greater role around the established core.

Lionel Scaloni used the international window to combine senior experience with younger players. Otamendi provided the breakthrough, Paz added another goal and the wider squad again showed the depth that has kept Argentina among the strongest international sides.

Argentina’s midfield control and defensive organisation were the main foundations of the performance. Once the game opened up, the attacking quality in the final third made the difference.

The result also extended Argentina’s long winning run in international friendlies, reinforcing the consistency of Scaloni’s team even during a period of transition.

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Benin arrived in Buenos Aires after beginning their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign and with several players competing for larger roles in Gernot Rohr’s squad. Joseph Ede Oloko was among the newer names in the group after earning his first senior call-up.

For much of the first half, Benin’s structure gave Argentina problems. The Cheetahs stayed compact, defended the central areas and tried to counter when possession changed hands.

The challenge came after Argentina scored. Benin struggled to regain control, and the gap in individual quality became more visible as the match stretched. Even so, the fixture gave Rohr another useful test against elite opposition before the next competitive window.

This was a rare senior meeting between Argentina and Benin, which meant there was little established head-to-head history shaping the contest. The significance came instead from the contrast between the teams and the farewell context surrounding Messi.

Argentina entered as world champions and one of the strongest teams in international football. Benin approached the game as a high-level test against elite opposition while continuing preparations around their AFCON qualifying campaign.

The final 3-0 scoreline reflected Argentina’s control after half-time, but Benin’s first-half resistance showed why the match remained competitive for longer than the final score alone might suggest.

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Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in Buenos Aires.

Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Paz and Lionel Messi scored for Argentina.

The match was played at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Yes. The friendly was Messi’s final appearance for Argentina.

Yes. Messi scored Argentina’s third goal.

Gernot Rohr is Benin’s head coach.

The striker earned his first Benin call-up for the September-October 2026 window after strong club form.

Check the SportPesa South Africa soccer section for currently listed international fixtures.

Argentina vs Benin ended 3-0 to the world champions after second-half goals from Otamendi, Paz and Messi at the Monumental. Argentina took control after a competitive first half and gave Messi a winning final appearance in national colours. Benin showed discipline early in the match but could not contain Argentina once the hosts found the breakthrough. For both teams, the fixture closed an international window with very different priorities: Argentina said goodbye to an era, while Benin gained another demanding test ahead of their next competitive matches.