Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez help Argentina cruise past Angola 2-0 in La Albiceleste’s final 2025 international friendly
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).