Reigning World Cup champions Argentina got goals from Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez in a 2-0 friendly win over Angola in Belas on Friday.
MORE — Lionel Messi on 2026 World Cup plans, American soccer, future at Miami
The marquee friendly was a huge deal for and in Angola as they prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with the biggest name on the planet.
The hosts sacrificed the ball, as expected, but only took a single shot fewer than Argentina. Messi set up Martinez’s first-half goal and played deep into the second half where he scored off a Martinez assist.
The goal was Messi’s 115th for Argentina, while Martinez scored his 36th to pass Hernan Crespo for fourth all-time
Angola vs Argentina live updates, final score: 0-2
Lautaro Martinez 43', Lionel Messi 82'
Lionel Messi goal — Angola 0-2 Argentina
Same combo, different feeder.
Messi checks back into an onside position to take a feed from Martinez in the left of the Angolan box, snapping a shot past Angola’s substitute keeper Neblu in the 82nd minute.
Lautaro Martinez goal — Angola 0-1 Argentina
The World Cup champions break through as Lionel Messi breaks down the right side and sends Lautaro Martinez into the same side of the box.
The Inter Milan isn’t concerned about his left-marking defender as he lashes past the keeper Hugo Marques.
Angola lineup
Marques, Buatu, Gaspar, Modesto, To Carneiro, Fredy, Luvumbo, Maestro, Banza, Nzola, Dala
Argentina lineup
Rulli, Foyth, Romero, Tagliafico, Gonzalez, De Paul, Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Almada, L. Martinez, Messi
Angola team news, focus
As Angola make their final preparations for AFCON 2025 next month in Morocco, this friendly is a key part of their warm up. Forwards Gelson Dala and Mabululu are their main attacking threats, while they have plenty of players who play in Europe’s top five leagues with Clinton Mata at Lyon, Kialonda Gaspar at Lecce, Randy Nteka at Rayo Vallecano, Zito Luvumbo at Cagliari, M’Bala Nzola at Pisa and Rui Modesto at Udinese. Angola reached the 2023 AFCON quarterfinals and came close to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup as they are a solid defensive team and a rising force in Africa.
Argentina team news, focus
Lionel Scaloni has called up captain Lionel Messi for this friendly, even amid the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs as he continues to rip it up for Inter Miami. Only a few key players have been left out with Emiliano Martinez, Enzo Fernandez and Julian Alvarez not included in the squad for this friendly but all three will be at the World Cup next summer. This is a chance for Scaloni to take a look at a few fringe players in Argentina’s final game of 2025 as fit-again and in-form Aston Villa playmaker Emiliano Buenia has been called up, and so too have Como youngsters Nico Paz and Maximo Perrone, plus Alexis Mac Allister has his brother Kevin alongside him for the first time in the Argentina squad. La Albiceleste only have a handful of games before the 2026 World Cup but the defending champions are looking very confident and absolutely stacked in terms of talent.
Angola vs Argentina prediction
This should be a really intriguing game for Argentina as they are playing a defensive sound Angola who are a side on the up in Africa. Still, Messi should work his magic and Argentina will prevail. Angola 0-3 Argentina.
How to watch Angola vs Argentina live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11am ET Friday (November 14)
Venue: Estadio 11 de Novembro — Luanda, Angola
TV Channel/Streaming: Fanatiz USA, fuboTV, TyC Sports Internacional
