Lionel Messi shines with a goal as Argentina defeat Angola 2-0 in 2025 international friendly: Highlights and goals

Argentina defeated Angola in the 2025 international friendly, and you experienced every moment of this exciting match here on Bolavip.

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The match ends! Argentina defeat Angola in Luanda, with Lionel Messi starring and contributing a goal to secure the victory.

The referee has added 4 minutes of stoppage time at the end of the match.

Argentina make several changes: Alexis Mac Allister is replaced by Maximo Perrone, Lautaro Martinez comes off for Jose Manuel Lopez, Lionel Messi leaves after scoring and is replaced by Joaquin Panichelli, and Nicolas Gonzalez is substituted by Gianluca Prestianni.

Lionel Messi recovers the ball in midfield, drives forward, and after a deflection, Lautaro Martinez assists back to Messi, who finishes to score. Argentina extend their lead!

Nzola comes off for Mario Balburdia as Angola adjust their lineup in the second half.

The pace of the match has dropped following the stoppage for Almada’s injury. Argentina are controlling possession but the flow is frequently interrupted by fouls, making progress slow.

Angola make a change as Chico Banza comes off for Fortuna. Argentina respond with Emiliano Buendia replacing Thiago Almada, who leaves the field due to injury.

Thiago Almada is being treated after an unintentional arm strike leaves him with a cut on his face, causing bleeding. The foul was accidental, but the player needs medical attention.

Alexis Mac Allister receives a caution for an elbow on Kulembe, marking the first yellow card of the match for Argentina.

Argentina win a dangerous free kick, taken by Lionel Messi, but Nzola clears it. The resulting corner, also delivered by Messi, fails to create a scoring chance.

Argentina bring on a change as Gio Lo Celso comes off for Kevin Mac Allister.

Argentina win a corner, taken short by Thiago Almada, leading to a pass to Lionel Messi whose shot goes wide, resulting in another corner.

Argentina begin the second half with more precision, creating a collective move that ends in a cross. Lionel Messi connects with a volley, but it sails wide.

Angola bring on a substitution early in the second half, with goalkeeper Marques coming off for Neblu.

The match resumes at Estadio 11 de Novembro! Argentina look to extend their lead, while Angola aim to find an equalizer in the second half.

The first half comes to an end at Estadio 11 de Novembro! Argentina lead 1-0 thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s strike, assisted by Lionel Messi. Angola have shown intensity and created chances, but Rulli’s saves and Argentina’s finishing make the difference at the break.

A brilliant team move sees Lionel Messi assist Lautaro Martinez, who finishes first-time to open the scoring. Argentina take the lead!

A fantastic Argentina move ends with Thiago Almada threading a pass to Lionel Messi in front of goal, but the striker fires wide. Angola survive a close call.

Argentina survive a brilliant team move from Angola. Carneiro bursts forward with speed and power, delivering a dangerous shot that Geronimo Rulli manages to save, keeping the score level.

A through ball from De Paul finds Lautaro, but the striker is flagged for offside, halting a promising attack.

Angola have a free kick taken by Kulembe, but the delivery is poor and the chance slips away without creating any danger.

Argentina now manage the rhythm of the match, keeping most of the possession while Angola continue applying constant, disciplined pressure. Argentina hold 62% of the ball, with Angola at 37%, but the hosts remain aggressive in every duel.

Angola stay level thanks to a brilliant stop from Marques, who denies a dangerous strike from Lionel Messi after a clever assist from Lautaro Martinez. Tremendous goalkeeping to keep Argentina from opening the score.

Argentina deliver their first corner of the match, and the play ends with a left-footed attempt from Gio Lo Celso outside the box that sails wide.

A great move from Modesto ends in a corner that Angola narrowly fail to convert. Moments later, Rulli comes up with a crucial save to deny a dangerous shot and keep Argentina level. Tremendous stop.

The minutes go by, and for now Angola are looking superior. Most of the action has been played in Argentina’s half, with noticeable rhythm changes from Zito and Nzola creating early signs of danger.

Interesting opening moments. Argentina try to take control of the possession, as expected, but Angola do not sit back. They apply constant, well-organized pressure, showing physicality and intensity. Still, Argentina must stay alert — those spaces Angola leave could become dangerous.

The game is underway! Let’s see how both teams set the tone in these opening minutes.

Angola’s starting eleven for today’s international friendly has been confirmed: Marques; Carneiro, Gaspar, Modesto, Buatu; Fredy, Luvumbo, Maestro, Nzola; Gelson, Banza.

Both teams are now lined up on the pitch for the national anthems, with the stadium rising to its feet as the pre-match ceremony reaches its final moments.

Angola are carrying out a full protocol ceremony on the field as we await their confirmed starting lineup. In a standout moment of fair play, Lionel Messi presented Angola’s president with an Argentina jersey signed by the entire squad — an exceptional gesture that drew applause across the stadium. Moments later, Messi received Angola’s signed jersey in return, along with commemorative trophies exchanged between the captains of both teams. An unforgettable scene before kickoff.

With adjustments in the back line, Argentina present notable changes to their starting eleven for today’s international friendly. Nicolas Gonzalez will play as the left back, while Nicolas Tagliafico shifts into a central defender role. Here is Lionel Scaloni’s confirmed lineup:

Geronimo Rulli; Juan Foyth, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Nico Gonzalez; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Thiago Almada.

Argentina arrive with several significant absences. Emiliano Martinez was not called up as Lionel Scaloni aims to give minutes to other goalkeepers, while Enzo Fernandez is recovering from a knee issue and will rest. In addition, Julian Alvarez, Nahuel Molina, and Giuliano Simeone did not receive the required yellow fever vaccine to enter Angola, ruling all three out of the trip.

Scaloni’s squad does feature several surprises, including Joaquin Panichelli, Gianluca Prestianni, Maximo Perrone, and the return of Valentin Barco. The manager also opted not to call players from Argentine soccer, as domestic teams are in the decisive stages of qualifying for playoffs and international competitions this weekend.

The Argentina national team is already at Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, settling in ahead of their final match of the 2025 calendar.

Yes. Lionel Scaloni confirmed that Messi will be on the field and even clarified that he will start the match. “Messi is going to play. Right now, I don’t know how many minutes. It’s going to be from the start and then we’ll see. But people will see tomorrow,” the manager said in his press conference.

The match will take place at Estadio 11 de Novembro, a venue with a capacity of roughly 45,000 spectators in the city of Luanda. The Angolan government recently invested several million dollars to renovate the stadium ahead of the world champions’ visit — and, of course, to welcome the main attraction of the night: Lionel Messi.

Angola vs Argentina will get underway at 11:00 AM ET (PT:8:00 AM)

Watch this 2025 International friendly match between Angola and Argentina live in the USA on Fubo, Fanatiz, DirecTV Stream and TyC Sports.

Welcome to our live blog of today’s international friendly match!

Angola face Argentina in Luanda to continue their 2026 World Cup preparation paths in very different contexts. Angola arrive under Patrice Beaumelle with an undefeated streak and growing confidence, but without the World Cup dream. At the same time, Argentina close their 2025 schedule looking to refine their roster ahead of next year’s tournament.

Argentina enter with experience on African soil and a clear goal of testing new tactical ideas, while Angola hope to leverage their home advantage and recent form to challenge one of the world’s strongest national teams.

Stay with us for key details, fun facts, and minute-by-minute updates as Angola and Argentina go head-to-head in Luanda!