Lionel Messi scored on his final appearance for Argentina as the team beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old, who announced his retirement from international football after defeat in the World Cup final, was invited to take part in the match to celebrate his career, with all his team-mates from Argentina's triumphant 2022 World Cup squad also invited.
A record-breaking international career
Messi ends his international career with 208 senior caps, the most of any player in the team's history, and his 126 goals for Argentina are also a record. He is the only player to have started three World Cup finals.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was denied by Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou after seven minutes before the visitors almost took a shock lead when Aiyegun Tosin volleyed wide.
Teammates shine before Messi's moment
Messi turned a cross narrowly wide midway through the first half and was off-target again in the 33rd minute. Emi Martinez denied Junior Olaitan before the break, and three minutes after the interval Nicolas Otamendi fired home after Benin failed to clear a Messi corner.
Dandjinou kept out an Enzo Fernandez header before Nico Paz doubled Argentina's lead from the edge of the area after 61 minutes.
A penalty to sign off
Messi's moment came 10 minutes later when Tamimou Ouorou's challenge on Agustin Giay resulted in a penalty, which the Inter Miami forward blasted into the top corner for his 126th and last international goal. Dandjinou denied Leonel Flores late on before Messi bid the crowd an emotional goodbye at full-time.
