Overview
- Lionel Messi produced a goal and an assist, recording his 115th for Argentina and his first international goal on African soil.
- Lautaro Martínez finished a Messi through ball for the opener and set up Messi’s clincher in the 82nd minute to close Argentina’s 2025 schedule.
- Luanda’s Estádio 11 de Novembro hosted the match as part of the golden‑jubilee festivities, with reports of $1 ticket promotions filling the roughly 50,000-seat venue.
- Squad selection was affected by yellow fever entry rules, with Julián Álvarez, Nahuel Molina and Giuliano Simeone staying in Spain after not completing vaccination procedures.
- Local debate intensified over reported appearance fees to secure Argentina, with outlets citing figures from about $6 million to $13 million and civic groups questioning the spending.