Argentina will host Benin in a sold-out match on Saturday 6 October 2026, with Lionel Messi set to make his 208th appearance for the national team in what is expected to be his international farewell.
The match, which kicks off at 23:00 GMT, gives Argentina the chance to build on two emphatic victories during this international window. The South American side beat Bolivia 4-0 before recording a 7-0 win against Burkina Faso.
Messi, Argentina’s record goalscorer and most-capped player, will be looking to mark the occasion with another attacking performance. The hosts, however, will be without suspended pair Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes.
Benin arrive with a more encouraging record than the size of the challenge might suggest. The Guepards have gone four matches unbeaten in their past five games, including a 2-1 victory over Mauritania and a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso.
Their task against the World Cup runners-up remains considerable, particularly with Steve Mounie absent through injury. Aiyegun Tosin and Rodolfo Aloko are expected to carry much of the attacking responsibility, while Argentina will rely on a forward line that has scored 11 goals in its last two matches.
Argentina’s recent form is listed as V/V/D/V/V, while Benin’s is V/N/D/N/V.
Key statistics also point towards an open game. Argentina have scored 11 times across their last two fixtures, including five first-half goals against Burkina Faso. Both halves have contained at least one goal in each of Benin’s last four matches, and Benin have scored in each of their past five games in all competitions.
The main betting options based on those figures are Argentina to win and there to be more than 3.5 goals at 1.77, Argentina to score in both halves at 1.52, and more than 1.5 goals in the first half at 1.88. Other options include Argentina to score more than 2.5 goals at 1.25 and Argentina to win without conceding at 1.28.
The first recommended bet is an Argentina victory with more than 3.5 goals, priced at 1.77. Argentina scored four against Bolivia and seven against Burkina Faso, while five of their latest goals came before half-time. Benin are defensively stronger than those two opponents but have conceded an average of two goals in each of their past four matches. Messi’s return and the significance of the occasion support the prospect of an Argentina win in a high-scoring game.
Argentina to score in both halves is priced at 1.52. Lautaro Martinez scored in the 19th minute and Nicolas Paz added another in the 29th minute against Bolivia, while Argentina led Burkina Faso 5-0 at the interval. Benin have scored in five successive matches, but Argentina’s attacking depth could allow them to maintain pressure after the break.
The final selection is more than 1.5 first-half goals at 1.88. Argentina scored twice before half-time against Bolivia and five times against Burkina Faso. Benin conceded the opening goal before the interval against Burkina Faso, and each of their past five matches has featured a first-half goal.
Odds may change.
