Lionel Messi's Penalty Ends The Megastar's Era With The Argentina National Team

Megastar Argentina National Team Lionel Messi closed his long era with La Albiceleste with a goal. During the Farewell Match against Benin at the Monumental Stadium on Wednesday WIB, Messi scored the team's third goal via penalty, securing Argentina's 3-0 victory.

This match served as Messi's final appearance for the Argentina national squad, after he announced his retirement from International Football last August. Thousands of supporters gathered to witness their captain's farewell moment live.

Argentina took control of the match from kickoff. Messi already threatened Benin's goal in the 7th minute, but his shot was successfully blocked by Goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.

Another opportunity came in the 24th minute. A cross delivered from the right flank could not be reached by Messi, with the ball passing just inches wide of Benin's right goalpost.

Two minutes later, Messi attempted to score from a direct Free kick. Once again, Dandjinou managed to parry the ball away.

Argentina kept up consistent pressure from both sides of the pitch. Benin held a tight defensive formation and successfully neutralised multiple Argentine attacking chances.

Messi received another goalscoring chance in the 33rd minute. Receiving a pass from Lautaro Martinez on the right wing, Messi's left-footed flick drifted just wide of the left goalpost.

Benin held their defence until the end of the first half. Dandjinou even made a critical save in the 43rd minute, stopping a one-on-one chance from Julian Alvarez.

Argentina broke the deadlock three minutes after the second half began. Nicolas Otamendi scored with a right-footed volley, connecting perfectly to a corner kick delivered by Messi.

Argentina extended their comfortable lead when Nico Paz doubled the advantage in the 61st minute. Messi was once again directly involved, providing the through pass that created the goal for the Como forward.

The most emotional moment arrived seven minutes later. Argentina were awarded a penalty after Agustin Giay was tackled down by Tamimou Ouorou inside the penalty box.

Messi stepped forward as the designated penalty taker. He placed his left-footed shot into the right side of the goal, completely wrong-footing Dandjinou who dove to his left.

The ball hit the back of the net and the entire Monumental Stadium erupted. Messi put Argentina 3-0 ahead in the 71st minute, scoring a goal on his final ever appearance for the national team.

Even after scoring, Messi continued searching for an additional goal. In the 75th minute, he could not convert a cross from Nicolas Gonzalez, as his flick drifted wide to the right.

Messi's final chance of the match came in the 89th minute, but his powerful strike hit the goalpost.

No further goals were scored before the final whistle. Argentina secured a 3-0 victory, and Messi closed his long career with La Albiceleste with one goal, one dead-ball assist, and a central role in all three goals scored that night.

This farewell carried extra symbolic weight, as Messi spent almost his entire international career on a long, grinding journey before finally lifting the sport's most prestigious trophies with Argentina.

The captain's journey with the Tango Team has now reached its end, finishing with 196 total caps and 115 official goals.