Lionel Messi scored one goal and provided an assist as Argentina claimed a two nil victory over Angola in Luanda during an exhibition match marking the fiftieth anniversary of the African country’s independence from Portugal.
Reports in Angola said organisers paid twelve million dollars to bring the world champions to the 11 November Stadium, where more than fifty thousand spectators watched the match and gave Messi a standing ovation when he was substituted late on.
The eight time Ballon d’Or winner started in a strong Argentina lineup and made his impact felt two minutes before halftime, slipping a through ball to Lautaro Martínez who fired low into the net. It marked Messi’s ninth career assist for the Inter Milan striker, equalling his highest tally for a single Argentina teammate alongside Gonzalo Higuaín and Sergio Agüero.
Argentina sealed the win in the eighty second minute when Martínez found Messi in the area with a clever reverse pass. Messi finished with a crisp left footed shot into the far corner to record his one hundred and fifteenth international goal in one hundred and ninety six appearances, as he continues preparations toward a potential sixth World Cup appearance next year.
Following the trip to Angola, Messi and fellow starter Rodrigo De Paul will now return to Miami for an Eastern Conference semifinal against FC Cincinnati in the MLS playoffs.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
