Lionel Messi Nets 116th Goal For Argentina In 5-0 Thrashing Of Zambia On Home Soil

Last Updated:April 01, 2026, 07:34 IST

Lionel Messi scored and assisted as Argentina crush Zambia 5-0 in World Cup send off, Alvarez, Otamendi, Barco and an own goal complete the rout in Buenos Aires.

Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another as Argentina thrashed Zambia 5-0 on Tuesday in the South Americans’ final game on home soil before beginning the defence of their World Cup crown.

Restored to the starting line-up by coach Lionel Scaloni after Argentina’s lacklustre win over Mauritania last Friday, Messi made an instant impact in the friendly at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.

The 38-year-old superstar created the opening goal for Julian Alvarez before netting his 116th goal for Argentina with an individual effort just before half-time.

Tuesday’s match served as a World Cup send-off for the reigning champions, who will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J at the finals in June.

Argentina will also play a friendly against Serbia in June and are seeking to arrange another warm-up fixture before the tournament.

Messi is widely expected to captain Argentina into what will be a record sixth World Cup finals as the South American giants target back-to-back titles.

How Argentina Beat Zambia?

The Inter Miami playmaker again underlined his enduring influence on the Albiceleste with a typically decisive display in a comfortable victory.

Alvarez fired Argentina into the lead after just four minutes when Messi effortlessly controlled a lofted pass on the edge of the area and threaded a ball into the feet of the Atletico Madrid striker to finish.

Messi doubled Argentina’s lead with the 902nd goal of his career two minutes before half-time, exchanging a clever one-two with Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister before placing a low shot past Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza.

Messi could have added to his tally shortly after the interval when Argentina were awarded a penalty following Albert Kangwanda’s foul on Thiago Almada.

Instead of taking the spot-kick himself, Messi handed the ball to veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, and the 38-year-old converted confidently to make it 3-0.

An own goal from Dominic Chanda in the 68th minute extended the lead to 4-0, before rising star Valentin Barco completed the scoring in stoppage time to seal the 5-0 victory.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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