Lionel Messi and Argentina emerged victorious with a 2-0 victory over hosts Angola in a special friendly played in Luanda on Friday to mark fifty years of Angolan independence.
Supporters showed up en masse at the Estádio 11 de Novembro to both support their national team and also to see the main attraction, world legend Messi. The hosts got off to a decent start with Zamalek winger Chico Banza drawing a save from Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli in the 12th minute.
However, the reigning world champions found their stride after the opening fifteen minutes and took control against the Palancas Negras. The Argentine #10 had a good opportunity but got his finish wrong from twelve yards out with his weaker right foot.
A few minutes later, Argentina struck when the Messi played the ball into space for Lautaro Martinez, who fired a low shot past Palancas Negras goalkeeper Hugo Marques in the 43rd minute.
After halftime, the match settled down with few chances for both teams. The hosts’ best chance came on a counter-attack when Zito Luvumbo created space to shoot, but the Cagliari attacker’s effort was tame and no problem for Rulli to collect.
The Palancas Negras kept the match competitive but it was the main attraction who put the Albiceleste out of reach in the 82nd minute. After a dangerous dribbling run was contained by the Angolan defense, Messi took up a position out wide to receive the ball from Martinez before firing past Hugo Marques to double the advantage for the visitors.
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