Argentina vs Panama HIGHLIGHTS (2-0 FT): Watch FIFA Friendlies Highlights – On-fire Lionel Messi inspires Argentina to beat Panama by 2-0. The hosts got a breakthrough with the strike of Thiago Almada in 2nd half. Almada scored after Messi’s free-kick shook the goalpost again. In 1st half, Lionel Messi tested the goalkeeper by hitting at the goal post via a free kick. Argentina’s captain also suffered an injury scare as Panama’s defenders went rough on a challenge. With two minutes from full-time, Messi got his redemption as the third-time lucky PSG superstar smashed a thunderous free-kick to double the lead of the hosts.
WATCH Lionel Messi brilliant free-kick goal here
¡GOLAZO DE MESSI! 🔥
Nuevo tiro libre de Lionel Messi que anota ante la estirada de José Guerra.#EstoyMareaRoja pic.twitter.com/5cSa3bWlZI
— Deportes RPC (@deportes_rpc) March 24, 2023
WATCH Thiago Almada goal here:
¡GOOOOLLLLL DE ARGENTINA!
Tiro libre de Lionel Messi, pega en el poste y el balón le queda a Thiago Almada que anota el primer gol del partido.#EstoyMareaRoja pic.twitter.com/gXELBPM7LW
— Deportes RPC (@deportes_rpc) March 24, 2023
Panama have been in poor form and their fate could worsen at the hand of the still-high World Cup-winning Argentina team.
Stunning: Lionel Messi and Argentina play first game since winning World Cup. An emotional Messi soaks in the bouncing stadium. One tiny yet trancendent bloke senses extent to which he has brought an entire nation together 🏆🇦🇷pic.twitter.com/XBK9YEnPbj
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) March 24, 2023
Argentina started their 2022 Qatar World Cup campaign with a loss, but since then they had the perfect run. They went on to win the World Cup as they played against France in the final and won in football’s one of the most fascinating matches. Argentina do not start their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup until September this year. During this international break, they have two friendlies against Panama and Curacao respectively.
Even though Argentina have somewhat easier opponents to play in the next two friendly matches, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has said during the pre-match press conference, “We will face the match the same way we face all matches. The Argentina national team does not allow you not to give your all. The celebration and everything is nice but we have to do our job on the pitch.”
As he was asked what he told his players after seeing them for the first time after the World Cup, he said, “I thanked them again for winning the title, now it’s time to celebrate but this goes on. Now, it’s going to cost us more than ever because they are going to want to beat us much more. We need a lot more energy from everyone because everything will be more difficult.”
Panama on the other hand could not qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They ended their 2022 World Cup qualifiers campaign with a 1-0 win over CONCACAF table-toppers Canada. In their last 10 matches throughout all competitions, they have only won 3 matches. They begin their CONCACAF Nations League campaign against Costa Rica at the end of the month. Probably that’s why, coach Thomas Christensen has decided to select a young squad for their friendly match against Argentina.
#SelecciónMayor ¡¡Dale que ya estamos che!!
Arranca una semana maravillosa 😍 pic.twitter.com/O0wpwLjXyu
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 20, 2023
Argentina vs Panama XI
Argentina XI: Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez, Di Maria
Panama XI: Guerra; Anderson, Ramos, Peralta, Farina, Galvan; Murillo, Gudino, Quintero; Cordoba, Stephens
Editors pick
