Uruguay beats Argentina 2-1 at La Bombonera in first match after Messi's retirement

A defeat in the first game without Messi

Argentina lost 2-1 to Uruguay on Friday, 13 November, in a friendly at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, the first game the national side has played since Messi stepped away from international football in early October. The match carried no official stake, but it was seen as a test of how the squad copes without its longtime captain. Coach Lionel Scaloni had extended his contract through 2030 only days earlier, and the result landed a day after that news. Uruguay, coached by Diego Forlán, took control with two set-piece goals, while Julián Álvarez pulled one back late for the hosts.

Goals from set pieces

Uruguay's first goal came off Leonardo Balerdi, who diverted a set-piece delivery into his own net in the 48th minute. Five minutes later a corner from Giorgian de Arrascaeta struck Maximiliano Araújo and looped over goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, doubling the lead in the 53rd minute. Argentina created more chances after that, and Álvarez reduced the deficit in the 73rd minute from a Gianluca Prestianni cross. The hosts kept their usual possession game but lacked the incisive spark Messi typically supplied in the final third. Neither Nicolás Paz nor Thiago Almada was able to fill that gap, and Matías Soulé came on at half-time for Exequiel Palacios.

Empty seats and ticket prices

Clarín estimated that 20,000 to 25,000 fans attended, against a capacity of 58,000. ABC reported official estimates that the stadium did not reach even 40% of its capacity, and some sections were closed for lack of demand. AS suggested that high prices and limits on how tickets were distributed were factors. According to AS, the Argentine Football Association set prices between 55 and 170 euros, and tickets could only be bought in person and had to be collected by the eve of the match. Photographs showed the upper tiers and the stand behind one goal almost empty.

Scaloni and the squad's next steps

Scaloni, speaking to reporters after the match as quoted by ESPN, set out the task ahead for the squad.

“We have to re-find ourselves without Leo Messi and we have the material to leave behind this defeat”

He added that the younger players, including Nico Paz, Matías Soulé and Gianluca Prestianni, had not yet found the moment to play their football, and that supporters would back the team regardless. Álvarez echoed the message, describing a new era with many young players and the need to continue the legacy left by earlier squads. ABC counted the loss as Scaloni's 11th defeat in charge, and the coach has not chosen a successor to Messi, so the No. 10 shirt was left vacant for the match. Argentina's next game is a friendly against Costa Rica on Tuesday, 17 November, at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba, while Uruguay hosts the Dominican Republic the same day.