Argentina – Benin: prediction and preview

The game at the Monumental is Lionel Messi's farewell to the Argentina national team, after he announced his international retirement on 31 August. Argentina come off a 4-0 win over Bolivia in Córdoba and a game against Burkina Faso; Benin have no recent records on the site. Scaloni regains Messi, De Paul, Lo Celso and Otamendi for this game, having left them out of the first two friendlies. A line-up built around the captain is expected, alongside Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez and Nico Paz (a goal and an assist against Bolivia), with Mac Allister in midfield and Romero and Lisandro Martínez at the back. The emotional backdrop and changes for the tribute will weigh more than tactics. The site's statistical forecast gives 59% home, 21% draw and 20% away, with 2-1 the most likely score, though there is little data on the opponent.