Lionel Messi got on the scoresheet and added an assist for Lautaro Martínez as Argentina ran out 2-0 winners over Angola in Luanda.
Argentina were in Angola as special guests of the southern African nation as it celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence from Portugal. The game was played at Angola’s 11 November Stadium, named after its independence day.
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Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi was named in a strong starting lineup for the 2022 World Cup winners. And the Inter Miami forward made his presence felt, first supplying a through ball for Martínez to fire low into the net two minutes before halftime.
It was Messi’s ninth career assist for the Inter Milan striker, tying his most assists for a single player with Argentina — along with Gonzalo Higuaín and Sergio Agüero.
The roles were reversed as Argentina made sure of the win in the 82nd minute. Martínez found Messi in the area with a clever reverse pass and Messi picked out the far side of the net with a crisp left-footed finish.
Following his excursion to Angola, Messi — along with fellow starter Rodrigo De Paul — will now head back to Miami for an Eastern Conference semifinal against FC Cincinnati in the MLS playoffs.
