Argentina Beats Zambia 5-0 in Final Home Friendly

In Buenos Aires on Tuesday night, Argentina's national football team delivered a commanding 5-0 victory over Zambia in an international friendly at La Bombonera stadium, marking their final home match before defending the World Cup title this summer. Lionel Messi, the 38-year-old captain playing what many believe to be his last game on Argentine soil, starred with a goal and an assist, while emotional scenes unfolded as he appeared in tears during the national anthem amid chants from adoring fans.

The match began with Argentina asserting dominance early. In the fourth minute, Messi initiated the sequence for the opener, threading a pass that led to Julián Álvarez slotting home past Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza. The hosts, fresh off a lackluster 2-1 win against Mauritania the previous Friday, showed renewed intensity under coach Lionel Scaloni. Just before halftime, in the 43rd minute, Alexis Mac Allister played Messi through, allowing the Inter Miami forward to glide past defenders and fire into the bottom corner for his 116th international goal and the 902nd of his career.

The second half solidified the rout. Three minutes after the restart, Thiago Almada earned a penalty...