Trending searches · 2026-10-07
Argentina vs Benin Score: Messi Scores, Nico Paz Adds Goal in 3-0 Farewell Win
This post was compiled with AI. We checked it against the original articles and announcements, but please confirm details in the linked sources. Trending on Google Trends (US) 5,000+ · (IN) 1,000+ · (GB) 200+ · (AU) 200+; sources collected 2026-10-07 10:28 (KST).
In one line
Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in a friendly at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026. Argentine outlets described the match as Lionel Messi's farewell to the national team. Messi scored a penalty and assisted the other two goals, by Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz.
Why people are searching
Google Trends listed "nico paz" at 5,000+ searches in the United States, 1,000+ in India and 200+ in both the United Kingdom and Australia when we checked at 10:21 a.m. Korea time on Oct. 7. The news stories attached to the term were about the Argentina-Benin match and Messi's farewell. The rise appears to be tied to Paz's goal in that match; the search data does not show why people searched.
Goals
| Minute | Scorer | Assist |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | Nicolas Otamendi | Lionel Messi |
| 61 | Nico Paz | Lionel Messi |
| 71 | Lionel Messi (penalty) | - |
The minutes are from ESPN's match summary. The score was 0-0 at halftime.
How the match went
- Otamendi's opener: Early in the second half, Otamendi turned in a Messi cross with his right foot from close range. He was replaced by Lisandro Martinez shortly afterward, and both La Nacion and Ole reported applause from the stadium as he left.
- Paz's goal: ESPN's summary has Paz coming on for Rodrigo De Paul in the 59th minute and scoring in the 61st with a left-footed shot from outside the box. La Nacion and Vermouth Deportivo both credit Messi with the pass. Paz plays his club football for Como.
- Messi's penalty: Messi converted a penalty in the 71st minute to make it 3-0. La Nacion reported that it was his 126th goal for Argentina, a figure that also appears in a Vermouth Deportivo headline.
- Messi's night: One goal and two assists. La Nacion wrote that the referee handed Messi the ball as the match ended.
What we could not confirm
- Minute of the first goal: ESPN lists Otamendi's goal at 48 minutes and La Nacion at 47.
- Paz's scoring run and Messi's assist total: Vermouth Deportivo wrote that Paz has scored in three straight Argentina matches (Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Benin) for four international goals, and that Messi reached 70 assists for Argentina. We found these figures in one source only.
- Match statistics: ESPN lists possession at 65% to 35% and shots at 19 to 7 in Argentina's favor. We found these in one source only.
- Penalty details: Only La Nacion said the foul was on Giay.
- Attendance: La Nacion described the stadium as full but gave no number, and ESPN's attendance field was empty.
- What comes next: None of the sources we opened gave Argentina's next match or said anything official from Messi after the game. We could not open an English-language match report when we checked.
Sources
- ESPN, Argentina vs. Benin match summary (Oct. 6, 2026) https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/401921408
- La Nacion, live coverage of Lionel Messi's farewell match vs. Benin (Oct. 6, 2026) https://www.lanacion.com.ar/deportes/futbol/la-despedida-de-lionel-messi-en-vivo-vs-benin-hora-todos-los-invitados-y-el-minuto-a-minuto-del-nid06102026/
- Vermouth Deportivo, Nico Paz scores in third straight Argentina match as Messi reaches 70 assists (Oct. 6, 2026) https://www.vermouth-deportivo.com.ar/nico-paz-marco-su-tercer-gol-consecutivo-con-argentina-y-messi-llego-a-70-asistencias/
- Ole, applause for Otamendi after his goal (Oct. 6, 2026) https://www.ole.com.ar/seleccion/aplausos-goleador-noche_3_7cwQhVVx3C.html