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Argentina had already scored 11 goals without reply during the international break, beating Bolivia 4-0 and a makeshift Burkina Faso side 7-0. Messi missed that game after flying in on Friday. Lionel Scaloni named a strong side for the farewell, with the 39-year-old captain leading it out and staying on for the full match.
Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou, who plays his club football in the Betway Premiership for Kruger United, kept the scoreline blank in the first half. Three minutes after the restart, Nicolás Otamendi broke through with a close-range volley, Messi having supplied the delivery.
Messi’s second assist came around the hour mark. Substitute Nico Paz took the pass in his stride and bent a finish inside the far post.
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With 20 minutes left, Tamimou Ouorou brought down Agustín Giay in the area and Messi stepped up to beat Dandjinou from the spot. It was his 126th goal for Argentina, and the goalkeeper was replaced by Saturnin Allagbe shortly afterwards.
Messi finishes with 208 appearances and 126 goals, both Argentina records, and his two assists extended his lead as the most prolific provider in international football. A career that began with his 2005 debut and included captaining the side to the 2022 World Cup ended on a high in Buenos Aires.
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Photo: Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images
