Argentina vs Zambia LIVE Updates: Nicolas Otamendi scores from the penalty spo (3-0)

Three minutes of stoppage time have been added.

After tackling Valentin Barco down on the middle of the pitch, Owen Tembo sees the yellow card.

Zambia makes another modification:  Frederick Mulambia in, Frederick Mwimanzi out.

Despite the four-goal cushion, Argentina and their fresh legs continue to push for more.

Albert Kangwanda leaves the pitch replaced by Pascal Phiri.

Scaloni rings in three more changes, bringing on Maximo Perrone, Nico Paz and Juan Musso in place of Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Almada and Emiliano Martinez.

Nicolas Otamendi and Julian Alvarez are replaced by Lucas Martinez Quarta and Giuliano Simeone, as Scaloni continues to rotate his squad.

After a slick move building out from the back, Argentina worked their way into Zambia's box down the right side, and following a one-two between Valentin Barco and Thiago Almada, the latter whipped in a cross toward Messi, only for defender Chanda to turn the ball into his own net.

After overloading the left flank, Alvarez laid the ball back to Enzo Fernandez, who unleashed a thunderous strike from distance, only to be denied by a fine response from goalkeeper Mwanza.

Zambia head coach Lwandamina also makes a triple substitution: Kingstone Mutandwa, Given Kalusa and Fashion Sakala make way for Owen Tembo, Patson Daka and Chanka Zimba.

After a sharp move down the right side, Simukonda got off a shot inside the box, but Emiliano Martinez was equal to it, producing a wonderful reflex save to keep the clean sheet intact.

Coach Lionel Scaloni makes three changes after Otamendi's goal: Valentin Barco, Nicolas Gonzalez, and Rodrigo De Paul in, Leandro Paredes, Nicolas Tagliafico, and Alexis Mac Allister out.

In his final home game in an Argentina shirt, Nicolas Otamendi stepped up to take the penalty and sent Mwanza the wrong way, stroking a composed finish across goal to make it 3-0.

After bringing down a superb long ball from Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada was brought down by Kangwa inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot.

Referee Herrera blows his whistle and the second half between Argentina and Zambia has begun.

Argentina national team is winning 2-0 against Zambia at the Bombonera, with Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi as the goalscorers.

One minute of stoppage time has been added.

With his goal tonight, Lionel Messi has added Zambia to the list of 40 national teams he scored against while wearing Argentina's jersey.

After Mac Allister failed to convert a well-worked team move, Alvarez collected the rebound inside the box and laid it off to Messi, who combined with Mac Allister in a quick one-two before being left one-on-one with the goalkeeper and finishing across goal to make it 2-0.

After a brilliant through ball from Messi, Julian Alvarez played a cutback across the face of goal, but found no teammate on hand to tap into an open net.

After Messi lost possession following a corner kick, Kangwa burst forward on a strong solo run that ended with a shot sailing high over Martinez's goal.

Paredes launched another long ball in behind, this time finding Molina on the right side, but the flag went up for offside, denying Argentina what would have been their second goal of the night.

Despite controlling the ball for 81% of the first half so far, Argentina have struggled to turn that dominance into clear-cut chances, registering just one shot on target in the process.

Sitting deep in their own half, Zambia have been content to wait for Argentina to give the ball away and hit on the counter, a tactic that has yet to bear any fruit.

After being offside and missing his chance, Messi complained to referee Herrera over a foul near the box.

With space at a premium in the central areas, Argentina are shifting the ball from side to side, with Messi and Alvarez dropping into midfield to try and open up room in the attacking third.

After an dominant opening spell from Argentina, Zambia have found their footing, pushing higher up the pitch and beginning to hold possession with more confidence.

Argentina have not let up since breaking the deadlock, continuing to push forward and pin Zambia back in their own half as the Albiceleste look to extend their lead.

After a long ball from Paredes, Messi brought the ball under control brilliantly inside the box before slipping a key pass into the middle for Julian Alvarez, who struck it first time to open the scoring.

Referee Alexis Herrera blows the whistle, and the game between Argentina and Zambia is underway.

The match against Zambia marks the Albiceleste's final home game before they travel in June, first for friendlies in North America and then to defend their World Cup title.

However, one of the biggest questions surrounding Tuesday's game is whether this will also be Messi's last appearance on Argentine soil in a national team jersey. Nicolas Otamendi, who has been alongside the No. 10 since the 2010 World Cup, has already announced he will retire from international duty after the upcoming tournament, inevitably raising questions about whether Messi will follow suit.

Head coach Moses Sichone has confirmed the starting lineup to face Argentina: Willard Mwanza; Fredric Mwimanzi, Tinkler Sinkala, Dominic Chanda, Obinno Chisala; Wilson Chisala, David Simukonda; Given Kalusa, Albert Kangwanda, Fashion Sakala; Kingston Mutandwa.

Lionel Scaloni has confirmed the eleven players that'll be starting the game against Zambia (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Enzo Fernandez, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada.

The referee selected for Tuesday’s match between Argentina and Zambia is Alexis Herrera. The 36-year-old Venezuelan has only one antecedent of officiating the Albiceleste: a 1-0 win against Uruguay back in November 2021 for the 2022 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.

Match officials:

Referee: Alexis Herrera
1st Assistant: Lubim Torralba
2nd Assistant: Alberto Ponte
Fourth Official: Leandro Rey Hilfer

Argentina will be returning to the same venue used for the game against Mauritania, with the clash against Zambia set to be held at Estadio Alberto J. Armando, better known as La Bombonera, in Buenos Aires. The stadium holds 57,200 spectators, and the larger Estadio Monumental, which seats more than 85,000, was unavailable due to AC/DC performing the final show of their Power Up Tour 2026 in Argentina on Tuesday night.

The venue has already drawn some scrutiny, from fans and players alike. "The field was not in good condition, and we couldn't really showcase our brand of football," Enzo Fernandez said after the Mauritania match, a game in which he had also issued a public apology to fans affected by his words.

Argentina and Zambia game will kickoff at 7:30 PM (ET).

You can watch the international friendly live on Fubo, Fanatiz, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, beIN SPORTS Connect and ViX

Welcome to our live blog of the friendly match between Argentina and Zambia at the Bombonera in Buenos Aires. Stay with us for all the key information about this clash and for minute-by-minute updates.