Messi Nears World Cup Return
Argentina Beats Honduras 2-0 in World Cup Warm-up, Messi Remains Benched
Argentina beat Honduras 2-0 in their penultimate 2026 World Cup warm-up in Texas, using a controlled, largely dominant performance to build confidence ahead of the tournament. Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring by converting a penalty after Nicolás Tagliafico was fouled in the area, and Martínez then set up Giuliano Simeone for Argentina’s second goal early in the second half with a backheel pass. Lionel Messi again remained an unused substitute as coach Lionel Scaloni carefully managed him through recovery from recent muscle and hamstring issues. Scaloni said the team’s “identity” remained intact even while he rotated younger players, and he indicated Messi could feature briefly in an upcoming friendly against Iceland. Argentina’s next match is that final warm-up before their World Cup opener against Algeria in Kansas City.
Key Points
The hamstring issue keeping Messi out was reported to have been suffered on May 24, and Scaloni left him unused “as he nurses the superstar back to fitness for the World Cup group games.”
Argentina’s midfield/attack had other notable chances beyond the two goals—Giovani Lo Celso struck the crossbar with a “superb curling shot” in the first half, while Tomas Aranda had a second-half effort “well saved by” Honduras goalkeeper Edrick Menjivar.
Honduras struggled to build offense: one report said Honduras “barely crossed the halfway line in the second half,” underscoring Argentina’s control after the early second-half goal.
Argentina rotated more than just Messi—Julian Alvarez and Emiliano Martinez were also “not played from the start because of fitness conditions,” with attacks built through players including Lautaro Martinez, Thiago Almada, Giovani Lo Celso and Giuliano Simeone.
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