Argentina Extends Friendly Winning Streak to 22 with 3-0 Victory over Benin
Argentina secured a commanding 3-0 win against Benin at the Monumental Stadium, stretching their unbeaten streak in friendly matches to 22 games. Goals from Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Paz, and Lionel Messi sealed the result in front of a lively home crowd.
Second-Half Surge Breaks Down Benin's Defence
The first half ended goalless as Benin held firm, limiting chances for the hosts. Soon after the break, veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi headed in the opener, igniting Argentina's push for victory. Substitute midfielder Nicolas Paz then doubled the lead with a sharp finish inside the box. Late in the match, Lionel Messi slid the ball home to complete the scoring and secure a comfortable win.
Extending an Extraordinary Friendly Run
This victory pushed Argentina’s remarkable friendly winning streak to 22 consecutive matches. The run began in June 2022 with a 5-0 triumph over Estonia and has lasted more than four years under coach Lionel Scaloni. Throughout these games, Argentina scored 75 goals while conceding just three, maintaining clean sheets against 19 different teams. Only Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mauritania have managed to find the net during this period.
- Winning streak start: June 2022 vs Estonia (5-0)
- Goals scored in 22 matches: 75
- Goals conceded in 22 matches: 3
- Clean sheets: 19 opponents
- Opponents who scored: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mauritania
Unbeaten in Friendlies Since 2019
Argentina’s overall unbeaten run in non-competitive matches now stands at 28 games. The world champions have not lost a friendly since 2019, showcasing consistent form across all international breaks. Scaloni’s squad aims to carry this momentum forward as competitive qualifiers resume.
