Argentina Thrash Burkina Faso 7-0 as Messi Watches Ahead of Final International Game

Argentina thrashed Burkina Faso 7-0 in a friendly at Estadio Monumental, in a game overshadowed by the mess around the visitors' trip to Buenos Aires.

Burkina Faso landed in Argentina just five hours before kick-off after a private flight from Morocco was cancelled because of a "technical failure". 

Match organisers said several senior players then refused to travel, citing tiredness, so the visitors fielded a young, inexperienced side shortly after an 11-hour flight.

The hosts took full advantage. Lautaro Martinez, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julian Alvarez, Franco Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone all scored, and Moumoune Diallo put through his own net for the seventh.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni was quick to praise the visitors. "What the Burkina Faso national team has done is truly commendable; it elevates football," he said. "We try to respect them and are very grateful that they were able to come."

FIFA match agent Jairo Pachon backed that up in a press release from the organisers. "We would like to emphasise the commitment and dedication of the Burkina Faso federation and government," he said. 

"Faced with an extraordinary situation, they worked to provide a solution that would allow their country's representation to be maintained and give the footballers an important sporting opportunity."

Lionel Messi did not play, as he saves himself for Tuesday's friendly against Benin, which will be the last game of his 21-year international career. 

The 39-year-old announced his retirement from Argentina duty in August, after the 2026 World Cup final defeat by Spain and after saying he was thinking about his future following the death of his father, Jorge.

Messi captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022. He has scored 125 goals in 207 appearances, making him his country's all-time top scorer and most-capped player.

Scaloni said the occasion will mean a lot to everyone. "I imagine Tuesday's match will be very emotional for everyone, including Leo," he said. 

"It will be an unforgettable day. It will be his day, and his teammates' day, who also gave him his greatest footballing joy. I'm grateful to be able to enjoy it." He added: "I imagine that if there were five Monumental stadiums, they would be packed."