Argentina dispatch spirited Mauritania in friendly

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Adam Booker·28 marzo 2026

Argentina dispatch spirited Mauritania in friendly

With the Finalissima having been cancelled, Argentina took on small African outlet Mauritania in a friendly Friday evening.

Despite the 113 places separating the two nations in the FIFA rankings, the reigning World Champions could only imagine a 2-1 win on the night.

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While Lionel Messi started the match on the bench, Argentina did still set out with a strong starting lineup, with all of Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Julián Álvarez making the start.

First-half goals Fernández and Nico Paz saw the hosts race out to a two-goal advantage, but in truth they struggled to create much else until Messi was introduced in the second-half.

Nico Paz scores a free kick vs. Mauritania for his first international goal with Argentina 🇦🇷
– sabato 28 marzo 2026

The gutsy visitors did manage to snatch a late goal through defender Jordan Lefort, but it was too-little, too-late in the search for a shock equalizer.

📸 Marcos Brindicci - 2026 Getty Images