Argentina’s 7-0 win over Burkina Faso at Estadio Monumental was a reminder of the gap between the sides, but the match was also overshadowed by the visitors’ disrupted build-up after they arrived in Buenos Aires just five hours before kick-off.
Burkina Faso’s private flight from Morocco was cancelled because of a technical failure, leaving them to make an 11-hour journey and turn up in Argentina far later than planned. In those circumstances, the result mattered less than the fact the game was able to go ahead at all.
Lionel Scaloni was quick to acknowledge that reality afterwards. The Argentina boss praised Burkina Faso’s effort and said it was commendable that they had made the trip despite the extraordinary situation, adding that the team’s willingness to come elevated football.
Scaloni: respect for Burkina Faso comes first
Scaloni’s view was clear. This was not simply a comfortable home win for Argentina, but a fixture played against a difficult backdrop for the visitors. “What the Burkina Faso national team has done is truly commendable; it elevates football,” he said.
He also stressed Argentina’s gratitude. “We try to respect them and are very grateful that they were able to come,” Scaloni said, underlining that the match should be viewed through the lens of Burkina Faso’s commitment as much as the scoreline.
That is an important point, because a 7-0 result can easily flatten the context around it. Here, the context is unavoidable. Burkina Faso were not operating on a normal preparation cycle, and that inevitably affected the feel of the evening.
Messi's farewell adds another layer
Argentina also played without Lionel Messi, who did not feature because he is preparing for a separate friendly against Benin. Tuesday’s match against Benin will bring his 21-year international career to an end, with Scaloni predicting an emotional occasion for everyone involved.
“I imagine Tuesday's match will be very emotional for everyone, including Leo,” Scaloni said. “It will be an unforgettable day. It will be his day, and his teammates' day, who also gave him his greatest footballing joy. I'm grateful to be able to enjoy it.”
He added: “I imagine that if there were five Monumental stadiums, they would be packed.”
Messi’s retirement from Argentina duty followed the country’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final and his reflection after the death of his father, Jorge. He had announced his retirement from Argentina duty in August, so the final chapter is now close.
For Argentina, the footballing story is a straightforward one: a heavy win, another reminder of their attacking depth, and a result that included goals for Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuono, Giuliano Simeone and Moumoune Diallo. But the wider story was the extraordinary journey Burkina Faso made simply to take part.
That is why this 7-0 scoreline will be remembered for more than the numbers alone. Argentina were far stronger, but Burkina Faso’s arrival just five hours before kick-off turned a friendly into a test of resilience as much as football.
