Argentina Beat Mauritania 2-1, Messi Comes Off Bench

Enzo Fernandez scores as Argentina edge Mauritania 2-1 in friendly

Argentina beat Mauritania 2-1 in a friendly, with Enzo Fernandez scoring the winner. Lionel Messi featured as a substitute in Lionel Scaloni's side.

Lionel Messi features in Argentina's narrow win over Mauritania...

Lionel Scaloni's side showed some rust but still managed to come out on top against Mauritania. Enzo Fernandez was the hero, scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory in Buenos Aires.

Argentina had chances galore, with Julian Alvarez's early free-kick forcing a great save from Babacar Diop. They broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, and Enzo's goal sealed the win.

Criminally left unmarked as he strode into the box, Nahuel Molina’s delightful delivery into the danger zone was perfectly put on a plate for Enzo Fernandez to expertly sweep home his first-time effort. 

One shortly became two shortly after the half-hour mark, as one of the most in-form players in world football, Nico Paz, curled a stunning free-kick past Diop from outside of the area.

Mauritania gave Argentina a bit of a scare late in the first half. Oumar Ngom's ambitious shot in stoppage time had Emiliano Martínez making a save, but it was a relatively comfortable one for the Argentine keeper.

Scaloni made three subs at half-time, bringing in big guns like Messi, De Paul, and Mastantuono. Despite the changes, Mauritania had the first chance of the second half, with Gassama's shot flying wide.

Messi's presence didn't immediately change the game's flow, but Argentina were still in control, cruising to their 2-1 win.

Mauritania had a couple of scares for Argentina, with Koita's fierce strike forcing Martínez to tip it over. The visitors were getting chances, and they finally got a goal late on through Jordan Lefort.

#SelecciónMayor
🗓 #AmistosoInternacional

⚽️ #Argentina 🇦🇷 2 (Enzo Fernández y Nico Paz) - Mauritania 1 (Lefort) 🇲🇷

🗣 ¡GANÓÓÓÓÓ LA SCALONETA!

⏱ Final del partido#TodosJuntos 🙌 pic.twitter.com/jzWCsVTEYM

— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 28, 2026

Argentina's stars didn't quite deliver in the second half, failing to register a shot on target after the break. Still, they held on for a 2-1 win, with Enzo's goal proving crucial.

Despite not qualifying for the World Cup, Mauritania's got pride. They put up a respectable fight against Argentina, and the Lions of Chinguetti will take confidence from that display against a top-ranked team.