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

Argentina vs Benin result ended 3-0 to the world champions at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on 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 friendly became a national farewell to Messi, who had announced his international retirement before returning for one final match in front of the home crowd. Argentina controlled the second half after a goalless opening period and finished the night with another clean sheet, another friendly win and a fitting final goal from their captain.

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Benin kept Argentina scoreless through the first half, forcing Lionel Scaloni’s side to remain patient against a compact defensive shape. The breakthrough came after the interval, when Nicolás Otamendi gave Argentina the lead and shifted the balance of the match.

Nicolás Paz doubled the advantage as Argentina increased the tempo and found more space around the Benin penalty area. Messi then added the third goal late in the match, closing his international career with one final finish at the Monumental.

The result extended Argentina’s long winning run in international friendlies and gave Scaloni another opportunity to combine established players with the next group expected to carry the national team forward.

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The match was organised as Messi’s final appearance for Argentina after more than two decades with the senior national team. The Monumental was filled for a night built around his contribution to the national side, from his early career to the World Cup and Copa América titles that defined the later years of his international journey.

Messi did more than take part in the farewell. He scored the third goal and was involved in Argentina’s attacking play before the post-match celebrations. The night also carried special significance for Nicolás Otamendi, another long-serving member of the squad who scored in the victory.

For Argentina, the sporting question now changes from how to build around Messi to how the team preserves its structure, creativity and leadership without him. Scaloni still has a deep group of senior internationals and younger players, but the next cycle will inevitably look different.

Argentina still have an experienced core that includes players such as Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez. Franco Mastantuono, Nicolás Paz and other younger players are increasingly important as Scaloni develops the next version of the team.

The Benin match highlighted that transition. Paz scoring in a high-profile international alongside senior leaders gave the coaching staff another positive sign, while the defence again showed the control that has been central to Argentina’s recent success.

The challenge now is continuity. Argentina need to maintain their competitive level while redistributing the creative responsibility and leadership that Messi carried for so long.

Benin faced one of the strongest national teams in world football in a match dominated by the occasion around Messi’s farewell. Their strongest period came before half-time, when they kept Argentina from scoring and forced the hosts to work for space.

The second half became more difficult once Argentina broke the deadlock. Benin were forced to defend deeper and had fewer opportunities to threaten in transition as the hosts increased their control.

For Benin, the value of the friendly was the level of opposition. Facing Argentina at the Monumental provided a demanding test of defensive concentration, transition play and squad depth before future African competitive fixtures.

Argentina showed that their structure remains strong even as the national team prepares for a major generational change. Otamendi and Paz scoring alongside Messi created a symbolic picture of the old guard and next generation contributing in the same match.

Benin’s first-half resistance also showed that the scoreline does not tell the entire story. They stayed in the contest for 45 minutes before Argentina’s quality and depth created separation after the break.

The lasting image, however, is Messi scoring in his final Argentina appearance. It closed one of international football’s defining careers with a goal, a win and a full-stadium farewell in Buenos Aires.

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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 the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

Yes. The friendly was organised as Messi’s farewell appearance for Argentina.

Yes. Messi scored Argentina’s third goal in the 3-0 win.

Argentina now move into a new international cycle under Lionel Scaloni without Messi, with younger players expected to take on larger roles.

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Argentina vs Benin finished 3-0 to Argentina as Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Paz and Lionel Messi scored at the Monumental. Messi’s farewell goal closed his international career with a win, while Argentina now move into a new cycle under Lionel Scaloni.

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