Angola 0-2 Argentina: Messi and Martinez combine to ensure winning finish to 2025

Argentina rounded off the calendar year in style after they beat Angola 2-0 at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in their final match of 2025.

Lionel Messi assisted Lautaro Martinez for the opener towards the end of the first half before the striker returned the favour in the 82nd minute as the reigning World Champions held off a batting Angola side in Luanda.

It was an eventful first half as Messi missed two golden opportunities from close range either side of Zito Luvumbo's powerful strike, which went straight at Geronimo Rulli in the Argentina goal.

But just two minutes before the break, Martinez managed to find the back of the net as he snuck the ball between the legs of Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques after a perfectly weighted pass from Messi.

Angola showed plenty of threat in the second half, with Luvumbo once again at the heart of things. He first struck the ball at Rulli again after a sweeping counter-attack from the hosts before failing to hit the target from To Caneiro's cross shortly after the hour mark.

And Angola were made to pay for their wastefulness by Messi, who managed to find the bottom-right corner with an emphatic finish after being picked out with a first-time pass by Martinez.

Data Debrief: Messi puts on a show to close out the year

Although Angola provided some nervy moments for Lionel Scaloni's side, it was a routine victory in the end for Argentina. They created 1.5 expected goals (xG) from eight shots to Angola's 0.49 from seven attempts.

And 1.26 of Argentina's xG came from Messi, who led the way for his side in shots (five), touches in the box (seven) and final third entries (10).

The skipper also completed the most passes in the final third (25), won four of his 10 duels, and was successful in two of his five attempted dribbles.

Argentina lost just one of their eight games in 2025 (W6 D1), losing 1-0 to Ecuador in their final World Cup qualifier.