Argentina Routes Burkina Faso 7-0 in International Friendly

Argentina defeated Burkina Faso 7-0 on Saturday in Buenos Aires, with Lautaro Martínez opening the scoring in the fourth minute.

Argentina defeated Burkina Faso 7-0 on Saturday in an international friendly at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring in the 4th minute, converting a rebound after his initial penalty was saved. Before halftime, the lead grew to 5-0 following an own goal by Moumoune Diallo and strikes from Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, and Julián Álvarez. Franco Mastantuono and Giuliano Simeone added second-half goals to complete the rout.

Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, and Franco Mastantuono each recorded their first goals for the senior national team during the match. The contest was played before a stadium that was approximately half full. Lionel Messi did not participate in the fixture, having arrived in the country on Friday ahead of a scheduled friendly against Benin on Tuesday, which is set to be his final international appearance.

Burkina Faso, ranked 62nd by FIFA, fielded a youthful squad after several senior players declined to travel due to fatigue. The team arrived in Argentina only five hours before kickoff because technical problems forced the cancellation of their private flight from Morocco. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni noted that the second half allowed for younger players to gain minutes and adapt to the senior level. Argentina next faces 93rd-ranked Benin at the Monumental on Tuesday.