Argentina secured a 2-1 victory over Mauritania in a friendly match held on March 27, 2026, at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires. The match featured notable performances from players including Enzo Fernández and Nicolás Paz, who each scored for Argentina.
Enzo Fernández opened the scoring in the 17th minute, giving Argentina an early lead. Nicolás Paz followed suit, netting the second goal in the 31st minute, putting Argentina ahead 2-0 before halftime. The reigning world champions demonstrated their attacking prowess, although they made eight substitutions throughout the match, including the introduction of Lionel Messi in the second half.
Despite Argentina’s strong start, Mauritania managed to find the back of the net in the dying moments of the match, with Jordan Lefort scoring in the 93rd minute. This late goal added a sense of urgency to the closing stages, but Argentina held on to secure the win.
Key moments
Argentina’s victory comes as they prepare for their upcoming matches, including a scheduled encounter against Zambia on March 31, 2026. The team is also gearing up for their first World Cup match against Algeria on June 16, 2026. Argentina, which has previously won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, is looking to defend its title after triumphing in 2022.
Following the match, head coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the team’s performance, stating, “The team didn’t play a good match. We have to say that so we can work on improving.” He emphasized the need for improvement, indicating that the team has the potential to perform better. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez echoed these sentiments, noting, “In the second half, we lacked intensity.”
Argentina was initially scheduled to play Spain in the Finalissima, but that match was canceled, making this friendly an important opportunity for the team to assess their readiness for the upcoming World Cup. The match served as a rallying cry for fans, urging Messi to commit to a sixth World Cup appearance, as speculation continues about his future in international football.
As the deadline for national teams to submit their World Cup rosters approaches in 30 days, Argentina’s coaching staff will be closely evaluating player performances to finalize their lineup. The friendly against Mauritania provided valuable insights, although details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential changes to the roster ahead of the World Cup.
