With goals from superstars Lautaro Martinez and Lionel Messi, Argentina cruised to a 2-0 victory and a memorable end to the year 2025. Although La Albiceleste were clearly the superior squad, Angola did put up a fight throughout the 94 minutes. This was a historic night for the latter, hosting the reigning kings of soccer as part of the country’s 50th-anniversary celebrations of independence.
The 38-year-old superstar added another milestone to his extraordinary career, becoming the player with the most goals for Argentina after the age of 30 for the national side. The captain now stands at 896 career goals and 401 assists, continuing to redefine longevity at the top level.
Angola approached the game with intent, especially after losing the only previous meeting 2-0 in 2006. The host showed early ambition as Chico Banza forced Geronimo Rulli into action, while Messi was denied by a sharp Hugo Marques save. Argentina, despite its star-studded squad, occasionally struggled to impose rhythm, and even Messi shot off-target before the breakthrough arrived. Just before halftime, the captain slipped a pass to Lautaro Martínez, who fired a low strike through Marques’s legs for the opener.
The home side refused to let the goal dampen the celebratory atmosphere, staying competitive well into the second half and nearly equalizing when Zito Luvumbo steered To Carneiro’s driven cross just wide.
Lionel Scaloni’s side, by contrast, saw limited influence from Messi during long stretches, but the match ultimately swung back to its captain. In the 82nd minute, after being dispossessed by Jonathan Buatu, Messi regained the ball and rifled home the clincher, marking his 20th goal contribution in eight games for club and country (11 goals and nine assists).
Thanks for joining us!
That wraps up our live coverage of the 2025 international friendly between Angola and Argentina. With goals from superstars Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez, Argentina cruised to a 2-0 victory and a memorable end to the year 2025. Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of soccer games!
Full-time!
Argentina earns a 2-0 win away over Angola, as Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez each go home with a goal and an assist.
92' – Wonderful opportunity for Argentina! (0-2)
Joaquin Panichelli receives a pinpoint pass just inside the penalty area but sends the ball soaring over the crossbar!
90' – Four minutes of added time! (0-2)
The referee decides to extend the second half for four more minutes.
86’ – More substitutions for Argentina (0-2)
Lionel Messi, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, and Alexis Mac Allister – OUT
Joaquin Panichelli, Gianluca Prestianni, Jose Lopez, and Maximo Perrone – IN
82' – GOOOOOAAAAAL FOR ARGENTINA! (0-2)
Who else, if not Lionel Messi?!
Messi scores after receiving the ball from Lautaro Martinez! Angola's goalie was unable to save his close-range effort, which went into the bottom right corner.
78’ – Third substitution for Angola (0-1)
In place of M'Bala Nzola, Mabululu will take the field.
69’ – Second substitution for Argentina (0-1)
Emiliano Buendia enters in place of Thiago Almada, who is out with a head injury.
67’ – Second substitution for Angola (0-1)
Nurio Fortuna takes Chico Banza's place.
63’ – Angola comes close once again (0-1)
To Carneiro finds the unmarked Zito Luvumbo inside the penalty area, but the latter's shot misses the target by a wide margin!
62’ – First yellow card for Argentina (0-1)
Alexis Mac Allister gets a yellow card.
59’ – First substitution for Argentina (0-1)
We are witnessing history as Kevin Mac Allister enters the field to team up alongside his brother, Alexis Mac Allister, for Argentina! The game is over for Giovani Lo Celso.
55’ – Angola comes very close to equalize! (0-1)
Argentine shot-stopper Geronimo Rulli makes a diving save from an excellent shot by Zito Luvumbo of Angola, who received the ball low outside the box and drilled it towards the center of the goal!
55’ – Messi's long-distance shot blocked! (0-1)
Lionel Messi of Argentina finds himself in a good position and attempts a long-range shot, but it is blocked.
52’ – Messi misses another shot! (0-1)
Once inside the area, Argentina's Lionel Messi clutches onto a pass but sends a sloppy shot far over the crossbar!
46’ – First substitution for Angola (0-1)
Angola has taken off its goalkeeper, Hugo Marques, with Neblu coming on in his place.
Second half underway
Argentina is leading 1-0 against Angola.
Half-time!
Argentina is leading 1-0 away against Angola in the 2025 international friendly, thanks to a goal by Lautaro Martinez.
45' – First yellow card of the game (0-1)
After bringing down an opponent, Angola international Fredy gets the first booking of the game.
44’ – GOOOOOOAAAAL FOR ARGENTINA (0-1)
Lautaro Martinez puts Argentina ahead!
The striker finishes off a pinpoint feed from Lionel Messi inside the box with a beautiful finish that beats the Angola goalie and goes into the bottom right corner. This marks 401 assists for Messi!
38’ – Messi misses another clear opportunity! (0-0)
Within the penalty area, Thiago Almada finds the unmarked Lionel Messi, but the Argentine superstar sends a blazing shot far over the crossbar!
36’ – What a miss by Angola! (0-0)
After a fantastic reaction, To Carneiro of Angola pounces on a rebound, but his shot sails far over the bar!
33’ – Chance for Lautaro Martinez, but referee blows whistle for offside! (0-0)
Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez had a good opportunity, but the referee waved his flag for offside.
28’ – Chance for Angola! (0-0)
Zito Luvumbo of Angola opts to shoot from a distance while controlling a nice pass. However, Geronimo Rulli, the Argentine goalkeeper, is in an ideal position to produce a snug save.
19’ – First chance for Lionel Messi! (0-0)
After catching a loose ball inside the area, Argentina's Lionel Messi unleashes a thunderous volley that sails just wide of the right post!
Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques, however, sees the shot coming and makes a spectacular save!
11’ – Angola’s chance foiled as Argentina's defense blocks cross (0-0)
The Angolan forward Rui Modesto tries to set up a teammate with a cross, but a defender from the other side snatches it. But Argentina's defense gets the ball back upfield, so they can't capitalize on the corner.
7’ – Argentina controls the ball, probing for defensive gaps early in match (0-0)
Argentina has been able to get some possession in the first minutes and seems to be settling in. Lionel Messi and his teammates seem to be patiently waiting for Angola's defense to make a mistake.
The game is underway!
The action has kicked off in Luanda, Angola.
Angola lineup confirmed!
Head coach Pedro Goncalves has chosen this starting XI to face Argentina:
Marques, Buatu, Fredy, Gaspar, Modesto, Maestro, To Carneiro, Banza, Nzola, Luvumbo, Dala.
Argentina lineup confirmed!
Head coach Lionel Scaloni has confirmed the lineup to face Angola:
Rulli; Foyth, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Gonzalez; De Paul, A. Mac Allister, Lo Celso; Messi, Lautaro, Almada.
Why isn’t Julian Alvarez playing for Argentina?
Julian Alvarez, normally Argentina’s main striker, will miss the match after failing to complete the required yellow fever vaccination in time—a rule that also sidelined teammates Nahuel Molina and Giuliano Simeone. Alvarez’s absence opens the door for Lautaro Martinez to lead Argentina’s attack.
Where are Angola and Argentina playing?
Friday's international friendly between Angola and Argentina will take place at the Estadio 11 de Novembro.
The venue, located in Luanda, Angola, is a modern multi-purpose stadium primarily used for soccer matches. It opened in 2010 to host the Africa Cup of Nations, and it has a seating capacity of around 48,000. Its name commemorates Angola’s independence day, November 11, 1975.
Head-to-head between Angola and Argentina
The lone prior encounter between the two nations was an international friendly played in Germany before the 2006 World Cup. It ended in a 2-0 win for La Albiceleste.
Ex-Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez opened the scoring at Stadio Arechi in Salerno, Italy, and Juan Pablo Sorin doubled the lead just before half-time. Argentina's current captain, Lionel Messi, and its actual manager, Lionel Scaloni, started the game on the bench.
Kick-off time and how to watch
Angola and Argentina will face off at 11:00 AM (ET).
You can watch the international friendly live on Fubo, Fanatiz, DirecTV Stream, and TyC Sports.
Angola and Argentina face off in an international friendly
Welcome to our live coverage of the match between Angola and Argentina in an international friendly. The 2025 campaign will come to a close for La Albiceleste on Friday at the Estadio 11 De Novembro as it plays Angola. Stay tuned for key updates, highlights, and live, minute-by-minute action!
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