Enzo Fernandez and Nahuel Paz found the net on Friday as Argentina defeated Mauritania 2-1 in their warm-up for the 2026 World Cup at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi came off the bench in the second half but was unable to have a major impact on the game.
The highlight of the match, however, was Jordan Lefort’s goal in second-half stoppage time – an important moment for Mauritanian football, with the team ranked 115th in the FIFA rankings.
«Today the team was not good, it is good to say that,» Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the match. “We have to work on it and correct it.”
Chelsea midfielder Fernández was the standout player for Argentina, breaking the deadlock 17 minutes into the match by sending the ball into the net from Nahuel Molina’s cross.
Paz, with 11 goals and six assists for Como in all competitions, has already made headlines with Italy. He did so after half an hour in the Argentinian colors and scored a stunner from a free kick with his left foot.
It also earned applause from a fellow left-footer, Messi.
Argentina will play Zambia on March 31. The world champion would play against Spain and host Qatar during this period. However, due to the West Asian conflict, involving the United States of America, Iran and Israel, that tournament was canceled.
Competition result: Argentina 2 (Fernandez 17′, Paz 32′) bt Mauritania 1 (Lefort 90+4′)
Published on March 28, 2026
