Argentina suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Uruguay in their first international match since Lionel Messi retired from national team football. The result raised fresh questions about Argentina’s attacking strength without their legendary captain.
The international friendly took place at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires on Friday, November 13, 2026. Uruguay secured victory through two second-half goals, leaving the home crowd disappointed.
Argentina struggled to break through Uruguay’s defense despite controlling possession for long periods. Nico Paz created a promising opportunity before halftime, but goalkeeper Cristopher Fiermarin denied his effort.
Uruguay took the lead in the 48th minute when Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi accidentally scored an own goal. Lisandro Martinez attempted to clear a free kick, but the ball struck Balerdi and entered the net.
Just five minutes later, Maximiliano Araujo doubled Uruguay’s advantage. His unusual finish from a corner gave the visitors a commanding 2-0 lead.
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez revived Argentina’s hopes with a goal in the 73rd minute. However, Uruguay defended strongly and secured the victory.
The match marked Argentina’s first appearance since Messi ended his international career in October 2026. The 39-year-old superstar retired after recording 125 goals in 207 appearances.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni left Messi’s famous number 10 shirt unassigned. He explained that the team had not yet chosen a successor.
Meanwhile, Uruguay celebrated their third victory under new manager Diego Forlan.
Argentina will now face Costa Rica on November 17, hoping to recover from their disappointing performance.
The defeat highlights the challenges awaiting Argentina as they begin a new chapter without one of football’s greatest players.
