Messi inspires Argentina to victory as Angola impress in Jubilee clash

Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Angola in an international friendly at the Estadio 11 de Novembro, where the hosts delivered a spirited display as part of their golden jubilee independence celebrations.Facing the world champions for the first time since 2006, 89th-ranked Angola approached the match with purpose and made a lively start, with Chico Banza almost capitalising early before Geronimo Rulli reacted well to avert the danger.Lionel Messi came close to opening the scoring but was denied by a sharp save from Hugo Marques. Angola continued to compete confidently, pushing forward whenever possible, while Argentina grew into the game and created chances of their own.Messi uncharacteristically missed a clear opportunity, but the breakthrough arrived on the stroke of half-time when he played in Lautaro Martínez, who finished low past Marques.Angola maintained their intensity after the interval and nearly levelled through Zito Luvumbo, who sent To Carneiro’s cross narrowly wide. Argentina, subdued for much of the second half, eventually sealed the win in the 82nd minute when Messi regained possession after an initial challenge and fired home his 20th goal contribution in his last eight matches.The result extends Argentina’s strong run in 2025 as they…