Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of the international friendly tie between Argentina and Panama, happening at the El Monumental stadium. This is Nigamanth bringing you all the updates.
Farina gets booked for his challenge on Lautaro Martinez
Excellent curling effort from Di Maria outside the box. Guerra, as brilliant as ever, dives to save it. Alvarez tries to capitalise on the rebound but gets tripped off a defender. Huge appeal for a penalty but the referee thinks otherwise
Yet another free-kick for Argentina. SO CLOSE!! Guerra stops Messi yet again as he jumps and gets a faint touch on the ball as it brushes past the corssbar
Free kick for Argentina after Enzo gets fouled. Messi takes it. Yet another left footer and this time Guerra makes a brilliant save!
Almada goes for glory from long range but the shot is well wide
When you’re the GOAT
Galvan’s challenge on Messi left the Argentine with a bloody knee. | Photo Credit: AP
Corner for Argentina and Messi gets ready to take it. Nothing from it. Just one minute added. Game stays goalless at half-time. Argentina could’ve been two goals up but luck has not favoured the world champions yet. Interesting second half on the cards
BRILLIANT SAVE! Wonderful long range strike from Enzo Fernandez and an equally excellent save from Guerra as he dives full length to keep the ball out
Dangerous link up between Messi and Di Maria inside the box but the latter’s shot gets blocked
Just under five minutes from half-time and it’s still 0-0. But the crowd is as lively as ever as they continue to back Messi and co.
Messi gets the ball inside the box, tries to evade two defenders but his shot gets blocked
Fight for possession heats up near the half line as both teams struggle to find a breakthrough. Argentina, in particular, have been unlucky in front of the goal
Di Maria finds Molina on the right lane with an inch perfect through ball. The latter tries to set up Alvarez inside the box but Guerra’s proactive move keeps the danger away
Di Maria tries his luck from long range but the shot is just not up to his standards. Well wide of the post and is deposited into the stands
Quick counter from Argentina as Alvarez goes deep into the right final third. He puts in a cross, Di Maria leaves it expertly as Enzo tries to hit it but gets blocked
Laid-back approach from the world champions as they take it slow and into their own half
Beautiful through ball from Di Maria towards Mac Allister inside the box but it is just out of the reach for the Brighton man
CHANCE! Julian Alvarez gets the ball inside the box on the right. He puts in a low kept cross but it misses all three Argentina players inside as it goes faster than expected
Free kick at a dangerous position. Messi takes it. A LEFT FOOTED CURLER RATTLES THE POST! SO CLOSE! That would’ve been a fantastic way to achieve 800 career goals for the PSG man but it is what it is!
Galvan gets booked for a needless tackle on Messi. Murillo’s sliding tackle was more than enough to stop Messi, who broke away. But Galvan from an awkward direction slid on to Messi’s ankle to get a deserved yellow
Although this is an international friendly, this tie holds a greater significance for two reasons. One - the first match for La Albieceleste after their World Cup triumph. Two - Messi might just become only the second ever player in football history with 800 career goals. He just needs to net one to achieve this feat!
Quick counter from Argentina as Tagliafico runs through the left lane. He then puts in a cross in an attempt to find Molina but gets intercepted
Throw in for Panama as Otamendi clears a through ball that came in dangerously. Quintero throws it but fails to find any Panama players.
Free kick for Argentina as Tagliafico gets pushed
High octane attack from Argentina. Messi gets the ball in the middle, dribbles past a couple of defenders before finding Di Maria on the left. He links Messi up but three defenders surround him to clear the ball
Anderson toys with a couple of Argentina forwards as he gets control of the ball deep inside Panama’s half before getting fouled by Mac Allister. Free kick for Panama
Ramos flicks a searching cross from the left lane in an attempt to find Murillo inside the box but Otamendi intercepts with a header. Corner for Panama that is well defended
A solo run from Lionel Messi rattles the defense. The PSG man then tries his luck from a fair distance but the shot is too weak to test Guerra’s skills
Positive intent right from the start. Angel Di Maria gets the ball in the middle and plays a brilliant through ball inside the box towards Mac Allister but a deft defensive work averts danger. Coner for ARG but nothing from it
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, walk into the ground as the crowd goes crazy. The World Cup trophy is displayed in front of the tunnel. Fireworks lit up for the Champions as well. Messi looks emotional as a full-house El Monumental sing the national anthem! Lionel Scaloni is seen teary eyed on the sidelines. Panama’s national anthem plays next.
A giant special jersey with “Champions” at the back of it, to commemorate Argentina’s World Cup triumph is being unveiled in front of a packed crowd at the El Monumental stadium. Deserved!
Sorcerer supereme:Lionel Messi is just two goals shy of hitting the 100-goal mark on the international circuit and will be aiming to achieve the feat here in front of the home crowd. Additionally, the PSG star needs just one goal to complete 800 career goals!
Built different: Argentina have lost just one of their last 44 international games across all competitions since the summer of 2019 — an upsetting 2-1 group stage defeat to Saudi Arabia at the World Cup.
PREVIEW:
Having fulfilled a lifetime dream, Lionel Messi will get to celebrate with Argentina’s fans on Thursday as they play their first match after winning the World Cup in Qatar last year.
More than 80,000 people will attend the Monumental Stadium in Argentina’s capital for a friendly against Panama.
While many would have seen winning the biggest trophy in football as the perfect note on which to an end an illustrious international career, the 35-year-old Messi has decided he has more to give for his country.
“Leo (Messi) is fine,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “Until he says otherwise, he will continue to come. He is happy on the pitch, with the national team.”
The Paris St Germain forward could make it a night to remember if gets on the scoresheet as he needs one more goal to reach the 800-mark in his professional career, although his rival Cristiano Ronaldo remains the all-time leader with 828.
A double would see Messi, Argentina’s record scorer, reach a century of goals for his country.
Messi, who also led Argentina to the 2021 Copa America, was named FIFA player of the year in February for the second time, capping a remarkable few months.
When will Argentina vs Panama international friendly match ve played?
Argentina vs Panama match will be played on 24th March
What time will Argentina vs Panama international friendly match kick-off?
Argentina vs Panama international friendly match will begin at 5:30 AM IST
How do I watch live streaming of Argentina vs Panama international friendly match?
Argentina vs Panama international friendly match will not be streamed in India.
Which TV Channel will telecast Argentina vs Panama international friendly match live?
The Argentina vs Panama international friendly match will not be telecasted in India.