Lionel Messi retires from Argentina with a goal in 3-0 victory over Benin

Full-time! Argentina thrash Benin 3-0 in Lionel Messi’s farewell game.

In the dying moments of the match, Lionel Messi came close to scoring a fourth, but the post denied him.

Benin are trying, but they can’t find a way to pull one back. Argentina are clearly superior to their opponents.

Argentina are in control and enjoying Messi’s farewell.

Leonel Flores, Franco Mastantuono, Giovani Lo Celso, and Exequiel Palacios come on. Cristian Romero, Lautaro Martínez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernández come off.

Argentina dominate, run riot, and give their idol the perfect farewell!

Lionel Messi scores in his farewell game!!!

Agustín Giay was brought down inside the box, and Argentina have been awarded a penalty!

The goals have given Argentina some breathing room, and they now control the game.

Nicolas Paz extends the lead!

Two more changes: Nicolas Gonzalez and Nicolas Paz come on, replacing Julián Alvarez and Rodrigo De Paul.

The goal gives Argentina some breathing room against Benin.

Lisandro Martinez and Facundo Medina come on. Nicolas Otamendi and Nicolas Tagliafico come off.

Nicolas Otamendi opens the scoring!

The final 45 minutes of Lionel Messi’s farewell are underway. Neither team has made any substitutions yet!

While the players take a break, artists continue to perform as part of the musical show. Argentina and Benin are tied 0-0 in Lionel Messi’s farewell game.

Half-time in Lionel Messi’s farewell game.

One minute of stoppage time has been added.

Lionel Messi was one of the few players who consistently tried to break through the opposition’s resistance.

The final five minutes of the first half.

La Albiceleste still can’t find a way past Benin’s defense despite their attacks.

Lionel Messi had another chance to open the scoring, but Benin remain solid at the back. The game is still goalless.

The final stretch of the first half is now underway.

The Benin goalkeeper tipped Messi’s dangerous free kick over the bar.

Neither team seems willing to step on the gas. The match is still lacking excitement.

Lionel Messi missed Argentina’s first chance after a cross from Rodrigo De Paul.

Argentina are trying, but lacking ideas.

On a dangerous counterattack, the African side almost opened the scoring.

After the first 15 minutes, there have been few chances and little excitement. Lautaro Martinez had a chance, but he was offside.

In the 10th minute, the match is stopped to pay tribute to Messi.

Benin are looking to keep possession in the opening minutes.

Messi had his first attempt from outside the box, but the goalkeeper made a comfortable save.

As expected, Argentina are dominating possession, but without creating much danger.

With all their attacking firepower, Argentina are looking to open the scoring.

The match is underway!!!

Lionel Messi’s farewell game is about to kick off! The stadium is rocking!

In an unprecedented event, the anthems of both countries are now playing.

With all the warmth from the fans, Lionel Messi receives all the love from the crowd in attendance.

The beginning of Messi’s farewell is getting closer and closer.

The players are about to take the field.

There’s almost nothing left before kickoff! Follow the minute-by-minute action of everything that happens in the match.

Argentina is already in the locker room, getting ready for kickoff.

Just a few minutes remain before kickoff between Argentina and Benin.

Argentina’s starting XI confirmed for Messi’s farewell: Emiliano Martinez; Agustin Giay, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi (C); Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez.

Lionel Messi is already on the field warming up alongside the rest of the team.

Goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez goes through his pre-match warm-up in front of one of the goals.

For this special event, Lionel Messi and his teammates will wear a special commemorative jersey.

These are the players who will represent Benin in Messi’s farewell:

Marcel Dandjinou, Tamimou Ouorou, Yohan Roche, Mohamed Tijani, Liam Omore, Sessi D'Almeida (C), Hassane Imourane, Yamirou Ouorou, Rodolfo Aloko, Junior Olaitan, Aiyegun Tosin.

The African side is on the field going through its pre-match warm-up.

Lionel Messi enters this match with 125 goals for Argentina and will have one final opportunity to add to his tally.

Lionel Messi and the rest of the Argentina squad have arrived at the stadium and are getting ready to begin their pre-match warm-ups.

The Estadio Monumental, home of River Plate in Argentine soccer, is slowly filling up as the stands begin to reach capacity.

Around 85,000 people are expected to attend this historic event.

These are the 11 players expected to start against Benin: Emiliano Martinez; Agustin Giay, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez.

The match will kick off at 7 PM ET, with Chilean referee Fernando Vejar in charge.

Beyond the Argentina national team squad that played in the last two friendlies, several of Messi’s former teammates will also be in attendance for this special occasion.

Many of them were champions alongside No. 10 in Qatar 2022, including Nicolas Otamendi, Angel Di Maria, and many more...

Beyond the match between the two national teams, several local artists will also be part of the show.

Bands such as Amar Azul and Damas Gratis, along with artists of the caliber of Soledad Pastorutti and Ulises Bueno, will take the stage.

Argentina's game against Benin will be available to watch live in the United States through ViX.

Lionel Messi is set to play his farewell match for the Argentina national team, as they take on Benin in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Don’t miss a moment of the live action.