Argentina beat Burkina Faso 7-0 in their international friendly on Saturday, just days before Lionel Messi's farewell match for the national team.
After opening the window with a 4-0 victory over Bolivia, the world champions produced an even more emphatic performance against Burkina Faso.
Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring from the rebound after Burkina Faso goalkeeper Razack Guira saved his initial penalty. The goal was Martinez’s 42nd for Argentina, moving him level with Sergio Aguero in third place on the country’s all-time scoring list. Only Gabriel Batistuta, with 54 goals, and Messi, with 125, are ahead of him.
Argentina doubled their advantage in the eighth minute when Burkina Faso defender Moumouni Diallo inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear it.
Gianluca Prestianni then scored his first international goal in the 12th minute, cutting into the box before firing a powerful shot beyond the goalkeeper.
Nico Paz added Argentina’s fourth goal with a composed finish, continuing his scoring form after also finding the net against Bolivia.
Julian Alvarez made it 5-0 before halftime with another impressive finish.
Argentina continued their dominance after the break. Substitute Franco Mastantuono scored his first international goal after taking advantage of a one-on-one opportunity to make it 6-0.
Giuliano Simeone completed the rout in the third minute of stoppage time, sealing a 7-0 victory for Lionel Scaloni’s side.
The emphatic win came just days before Messi is expected to make his final appearance for Argentina at Buenos Aires’ iconic Monumental Stadium. Argentina are scheduled to face Benin on October 6, with fans preparing to give their legendary captain a memorable farewell.
FP/A
