Lionel Messi Scores in Argentina Farewell Beat Benin 3-0

Argentina Sends Messi Off in Style

Lionel Messi enjoyed a storybook farewell to international football, scoring the final goal of his Argentina career in a 3-0 victory over Benin in Buenos Aires. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was given a fitting send-off in front of the home crowd, with members of Argentina’s triumphant 2022 World Cup squad invited to celebrate his remarkable career.

Messi, 39, finishes his Argentina career with a record 208 senior appearances and 126 goals, both the most in the history of the national team. He also leaves as the only player to have started in three World Cup finals.

Otamendi and Paz Put Argentina in Control

Messi nearly opened the scoring after just seven minutes, but Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou made the save. Benin then threatened to produce a surprise when Aiyegun Tosin volleyed narrowly wide.

Messi continued to search for his farewell goal, turning a cross just wide midway through the first half before firing off target again in the 33rd minute. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was also called into action before halftime, denying Junior Olaitan to keep the match scoreless.

Three minutes after the break, Argentina finally broke through. Benin failed to properly clear a Messi corner, allowing Nicolás Otamendi to fire home and give Argentina a 1-0 lead. The 38-year-old defender, another veteran nearing the end of his international career, briefly threatened to steal the spotlight from Messi.

Dandjinou kept Benin in the match by denying a header from Enzo Fernández, but Argentina doubled its advantage in the 61st minute. Nico Paz collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and found the net with a composed finish to make it 2-0.

Messi Scores One Last Argentina Goal

Messi’s moment arrived 10 minutes later. Tamimou Ouorou brought down Agustín Giay inside the penalty area, giving Argentina a chance from the spot. Messi stepped forward and delivered exactly what the home crowd had been waiting for, blasting the penalty into the top corner for his 126th and final international goal.

The goal capped an extraordinary international career that included Argentina’s 2021 Copa América triumph, the 2022 World Cup title and another Copa América championship in 2024. Benin continued to compete despite falling behind, but Argentina remained in control. Dandjinou made another late save to deny Leonel Flores, preventing Argentina from adding a fourth goal.

At the final whistle, the focus shifted entirely to Messi as he bid an emotional farewell to the Buenos Aires crowd. After more than two decades representing Argentina, the legendary forward closed his international career exactly as so many of his supporters had hoped—with a goal and a victory.