Kickoff 04:00 PKT
Goals and key events
No events yet. Goals, cards and substitutions will be listed here as they happen.
Lineups and squad news
Official starting elevens are normally released about an hour before kickoff, which is around 03:00 PKT. They will appear below as soon as they are confirmed.
Argentina
Starting eleven to be confirmed.
Benin
Starting eleven to be confirmed.
Squad news before kickoff: coach Lionel Scaloni called up players from Argentina's 2022 World Cup squad for the farewell. AS Roma refused to release Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina, citing sporting and logistical reasons (CBS Sports). Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso may also be making their last Argentina appearances. Benin are coached by Gernot Rohr and captained by Steve Mounié.
Match report
Match result: This page was published before kickoff. The final score, Messi's minutes and any goal he scores will be added here after full time.
Messi's minutes: to be confirmed
What to watch for
- Cap number 208. Messi extends his own Argentina appearance record from 207.
- Goal 126. Any goal moves him past 125 for Argentina and makes Benin the 45th national team he has scored against.
- The exit. Farewell friendlies often include a planned substitution so the crowd can give the player a standing ovation. Whether Scaloni does that is not confirmed.
- Other goodbyes. De Paul and Lo Celso may also be playing their last games for Argentina.
About Benin
Benin, known as Les Guépards (the Cheetahs), are ranked around 89th by FIFA. Their best tournament run was the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final, after knocking out Morocco on penalties. This is the first senior meeting between the two countries.