Argentina defeat Mauritania 2-1 in 2026 international friendly as Lionel Messi returns to Buenos Aires

Argentina beat Mauritania 2-1 in the 2026 international friendly and you lived every moment of this exciting game here, on Bolavip.

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The match ends at La Bombonera with Argentina defeating Mauritania 2-1 in the 2026 international friendly, marking a solid performance for the hosts ahead of World Cup preparations.

Mauritania reduce the deficit with a late goal in the final minute, capitalizing on a rebound from a free kick taken by Jordan Lefort.

The referee signals four minutes of stoppage time as Argentina look to maintain control and see out the 2-0 lead against Mauritania.

Mauritania make another substitution with Lamine Ba, Aboubakary Koita and Beyatt Lekweiry coming off and Mohamed Mahmoud, Souleymane Anne and Nouh El Abd entering the match.

Mauritania make several changes with Aly Abeid, Oumar Ngom and Maata Magassa coming off, while Khadim Diaw, Hacen and Sidi Yacoub enter the match.

Argentina make additional changes with Thiago Almada and Mac Allister coming off, Jose Manuel Lopez and Exequiel Palacios enter the match.

Argentina make further substitutions with Acuña and Nahuel Molina coming off, while Gabriel Rojas and Agustin Giay enter the match.

It has been a curious second half, Argentina are struggling to recover the ball and connect passing sequences, while Mauritania take more control of possession and look increasingly dangerous with direct attacks.

Mauritania miss a big opportunity as Koita takes a right footed shot from the left side, but the effort goes high and straight at the goalkeeper. The chance comes after an assist from Aly Abeid.

Mauritania make a change with Djeidi Gassama coming off and Sidi Bouna Amar entering the match.

Marcos Senesi is shown a yellow card after a foul on Koita, who was going through on goal one on one with Dibu Martinez before being brought down.

Argentina make a change with Enzo Fernandez coming off and Giuliano Simeone entering the match.

A great team move between Messi and Mastantuono ends with a quick one two, Messi gets a shot off but it goes wide, though Argentina win a corner that is not taken advantage of.

Koita plays a great through ball to Gassama, who manages to get a shot off in a one against two situation, but the effort goes just wide.

Mauritania come out with a different mindset in the second half; they are not overly aggressive in their press but look more direct in attack, trying to use their pace on the wings to create danger.

Argentina make changes with Nicolas Gonzalez, Nico Paz and Julian Alvarez coming off, Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi and Franco Mastantuono enter the match. For Mauritania, Mamadou Diallo comes off and Ndiaga Yade comes on.

The second half begins at La Bombonera and Lionel Messi comes onto the field, drawing a huge reaction from the crowd as Argentina look to build on their lead.

La Bombonera grows louder as anticipation rises for Lionel Messi to enter in the second half, after Lionel Scaloni confirmed in the pre match press conference that he would feature in both friendlies. It remains to be seen when he will come on, either right at the start of the second half or around the 60 to 70 minute mark.

The first half comes to an end at La Bombonera, with Argentina in control and leading 2-0 after a solid performance against Mauritania.

Argentina avoid conceding after a great strike from Diallo, who pounced on a rebound in the box following a free kick, but Dibu Martinez makes a strong save and holds the ball without giving away a second chance.

Argentina continue to press consistently, with Nico Paz and Thiago Almada driving the attack and linking up well with Nicolas Gonzalez and Julian Alvarez, while Acuña and Molina push forward to stretch the field and create more space.

Ba receives a yellow card after a hard foul on Nicolas Gonzalez, as Mauritania try to slow down Argentina’s attacking rhythm.

The free kick won by Nico Paz is taken by Nico Paz himself. He strikes it low past the side of the wall, and the bounce off the ground complicates the Mauritania goalkeeper and the ball ends up in the net.

Nico Paz wins a free kick for Argentina after a foul by Koita, giving the hosts another opportunity to create danger from a set piece.

Enzo Fernandez takes a shot from outside the box but it is saved, as Argentina begin to find the match more difficult despite their control. As a notable detail, Argentina are committing more fouls than Mauritania, struggling to recover the ball cleanly and often resorting to fouls after losing possession.

Keita attempts a right footed shot from outside the box, but the effort goes wide and does not trouble Argentina.

A great team play between Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada ends with Molina winning the flank and sending a low cross into the box, Enzo Fernandez arrives from deep with a diagonal run and finishes with ease.

Argentina create their first relatively clear chance after a through ball from Cuti Romero finds Nico Gonzalez, who gets a shot off, but it is saved by Diop.

Argentina maintain possession from one side to the other, controlling the tempo of the game, but they are not creating real danger as Mauritania stay compact and well organized at the back.

Argentina continue to dominate the match and keep pushing Mauritania’s defensive line further back, but there are flashes of danger from Mauritania, with Koita showing signs of creating a threat.

Argentina earn a free kick after a handball by Gassama, Thiago Almada takes it but the effort is cleared by the Mauritania defense.

As expected, Argentina dominate possession and look for spaces to break down Mauritania’s defense, but despite the pressure, Mauritania remain organized in a solid block and keep their presence in midfield.

The match kicks off at La Bombonera as Argentina and Mauritania begin their international friendly.

Both teams enter the field for the pre match protocol greeting at La Bombonera, setting the stage for kickoff in Buenos Aires.

Mauritania start with the following lineup: Mamadou Diop; Ibrahima Keita, Aly Abeid, Lamine Ba, Jordan Lefort; Oumar Ngom, Maata Magassa, Djeidi Gassama, Beyatt Lekweiry, Aboubakary Koita; Mamadou Diallo.

AFA confirmed the officiating crew for Argentina’s match against Mauritania at La Bombonera, with Paraguayan referee Derlis Lopez set as the main official for the friendly.

Lopez will be joined by Roberto Cañete and Eduardo Britos, also from Paraguay, while Argentine official Nazareno Arasa will be in charge of VAR.

La Bombonera, officially Estadio Alberto J Armando, is the iconic home of Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires, opened in 1940. It is globally recognized for its horseshoe design with steep stands that seem to shake, turning it into one of the most unique stadiums in soccer. Located in La Boca, it currently holds around 57,000 spectators.

As a fun fact, the name La Bombonera comes from the stadium’s unusual shape. During construction, architect Viktor Sulcic noticed the design resembled a box of chocolates he had received as a gift, which ultimately inspired the nickname.

Argentina start with the following lineup: Dibu Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cuti Romero, Marcos Senesi, Marcos Acuña; Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister, Nico Paz, Nico Gonzalez; Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada.

The Argentine captain is reportedly not expected to be in the starting lineup. According to Argentine insider Gaston Edul, Lionel Scaloni has decided to manage the 38-year-old’s minutes ahead of the intense summer schedule. Lionel Messi is not expected to be in the starting XI tonight and will likely enter as a substitute in the second half.

Argentina vs Mauritania will get underway at 7:15 PM ET (PT: 4:15 PM)

Watch this international friendly match between Argentina and Mauritania live in the USA on Fubo, Fanatiz, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect and ViX.

Welcome to our live blog of the international friendly match!

Argentina face Mauritania in Buenos Aires at La Bombonera, as Lionel Messi returns home in a key step toward World Cup preparation. Argentina arrive as the world champions, looking to fine-tune details, while Mauritania aim to make a statement against one of the top teams in the game.

Stay with us for key information and minute-by-minute updates as Argentina and Mauritania go head-to-head in Buenos Aires.