More than 83,000 fans packed Buenos Aires’ El Monumental to see Lionel Messi and co. play for the first time since winning Argentina’s third World Cup last year.
Argentina defeated Panama 2-0 to mark their return home after winning the World Cup in Qatar last year. Lionel Messi scored his 800th career goal on a free kick. More than 83,000 fans flocked to Buenos Aires’ El Monumental to see Messi and co. play for the first time since the nation won its third World Cup last year. After rattling the crossbar with a free-kick that ultimately resulted in Argentina’s opener, scored by 21-year-old Thiago Almada, Messi curled in a set-piece in the dying moments of the game to give Argentina a convincing victory over the tenacious Central Americans.
Messi, coach Lionel Scaloni, and several players appeared to be in tears as fans sang “Muchachos,” Argentina’s winning World Cup anthem in Qatar.
Following the game, each member of the World Cup-winning team was handed a replica trophy to lift while surrounded by their families.
This was definitely a celebration rather than a football match, but Panama had obviously not read the script.
Despite fielding a depleted squad, they remained organised and disciplined, frustrating the new world champions for 78 minutes before their defences were eventually breached.
This was obviously a celebration rather than a football match, but Panama had clearly not read the script.
Scaloni named the same starting lineup that played France in the World Cup final in December, when Argentina won 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw, but after a goalless first half, he made three substitutions.
