Lionel Messi scored twice and Lautaro Martinez added a third as Argentina ultimately strolled to a 3-0 win in what might be their captain’s final home competitive fixture.
Argentina probed and prodded for the opening 30 minutes, without creating much. Their tally of three shots on target was rather misleading, with the Venezuela defence putting in an admirable shift. But Messi, inevitably, changed things. The Albiceleste pieced together a lovely, flowing move. Leandro Paredes found Julian Alvarez, who could have finished but instead cut the ball back to his skipper. Messi lifted the ball over two defenders and into the net.
Messi almost had a second on the hour mark, but saw his effort well denied by the goalkeeper, after creating half a yard of space in the box. The home side found a second wind late on. Lautaro Martinez scored the second with 15 minutes to play, flicking home a Thiago Almada cutback. And then Messi had the final word, putting the finishing touch on another wonderfully worked team goal with a side-footed finish that wrapped up a thoroughly deserved three points.
It remains to be seen if this is the end for Messi for good in Argentina. But, with friendlies all over the map and a World Cup to play in North America, this might be the great Argentine’s last competitive game in his home nation. If that’s the case, this was a fine way to go out.
BALLGM rates Argentina’s players from the Monumental…
Lionel Messi scored twice and Lautaro Martinez added a third as Argentina ultimately strolled to a 3-0 win in what might be their captain’s final home competitive fixture.
Argentina probed and prodded for the opening 30 minutes, without creating much. Their tally of three shots on target was rather misleading, with the Venezuela defence putting in an admirable shift. But Messi, inevitably, changed things. The Albiceleste pieced together a lovely, flowing move. Leandro Paredes found Julian Alvarez, who could have finished but instead cut the ball back to his skipper. Messi lifted the ball over two defenders and into the net.
Messi almost had a second on the hour mark, but saw his effort well denied by the goalkeeper, after creating half a yard of space in the box. The home side found a second wind late on. Lautaro Martinez scored the second with 15 minutes to play, flicking home a Thiago Almada cutback. And then Messi had the final word, putting the finishing touch on another wonderfully worked team goal with a side-footed finish that wrapped up a thoroughly deserved three points.
It remains to be seen if this is the end for Messi for good in Argentina. But, with friendlies all over the map and a World Cup to play in North America, this might be the great Argentine’s last competitive game in his home nation. If that’s the case, this was a fine way to go out.
BALLGM rates Argentina’s players from the Monumental…
Emi Martinez (7/10):
Spent most of the time spectating. Touched the ball 25 times and didn’t have a save to make. He’ll take the clean sheet.
Nahuel Molina (6/10):
Pinged a few nice passes, and didn’t really allow anything down his side.
Cristian Romero (8/10):
Picked up his obligatory yellow card. Moved the ball around well and was always up for a tackle – most of which he won.
Nicolas Otamendi (7/10):
As solid as ever at the back. Even at 37 years old, he can do it for his country.
Nico Tagliafico (7/10):
Industrious on the left side, involved in play, and linked up effectively with Thiago Almada.
Rodrigo De Paul (7/10):
Up to his usual antics of tackling anything that moved, completed the most passes in the match, and linked play well.
Leandro Paredes (7/10):
Played a crucial pass in the build-up to the opener and turned in a solid 70 minutes of work.
Franco Mastantuono (5/10):
On the ball a lot, but didn’t do loads with it. Looked a bit nervous, truth be told, but there will be plenty of other games for him.
Thiago Almada (8/10):
The more creative of the two wide men. Forced a nice save out of the keeper and grabbed himself a deserved assist.
Lionel Messi (9/10):
Pieced together a mastery in narrative building by scoring in his final home game. Added a second, and might have had a third late on – only to be denied by the offside flag. Wonderful throughout.
Julian Alvarez (7/10):
Assisted Messi brilliantly when he really could have grabbed a goal of his own. As usual, worked very hard and showed some real attacking intent.
Nico Gonzalez (7/10):
Picked up an assist during an impressive 15-minute cameo.
Exequiel Palacios (6/10):
Put in a solid shift in central midfield after coming on.
Lautaro Martinez (7/10):
Didn’t touch the ball much but got his goal.
Giuliano Simeone (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Nico Paz (N/A):
Another very late sub.
Lionel Scaloni (8/10):
Went with his strongest side and got a performance out of his team that suggested that this wasn’t just a Messi sendoff. Scaloni’s side have sauntered through CONMEBOL qualifying.
