Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni named Lionel Messi among the substitutes for the international friendly against Mauritania at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires. The World Cup holders arranged the match hastily after the planned Finalissima against Spain was cancelled due to Middle East conflict and a fixture with Guatemala fell through over FIFA rules. Julian Alvarez starts up front as Lautaro Martinez nurses a minor injury.
Argentina faced Mauritania on Friday at La Bombonera, home of Boca Juniors with a capacity exceeding 57,000, kicking off at 20:15 local time (23:15 GMT). The fixture served as preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, now less than three months away, and was the first of two friendlies, with Zambia scheduled for March 31 at the same venue and time.
