Lionel Messi Farewell Match LIVE, Argentina Vs Benin Updates: Alvarez Fizzes One In, Nobody Gets A Sniff

Julian Alvarez picks up the ball out wide and whips a cross into the area with plenty of pace on it, but there is nobody in a blue and white shirt ready to attack it. It skips through the box and Benin are happy to see it go.

Lautaro Martinez gets a yard on the wing and swings a cross into the box, and the blue and white shirts all lean in hoping for a touch. Nobody gets there. A Benin defender stretches, gets his boot to it and clears the danger. Argentina will have to go again.

Nicolas Tagliafico arrives late and heavy on the challenge, and Fernando Vejar does not need a second look before the whistle goes. Foul given, Benin get a free kick, and Tagliafico is left to hold his hands up and wonder what he was thinking. Not exactly a neighbourly tackle, that one.

Hassane Imourane goes in hard on the ball and Fernando Vejar has no hesitation, whistle to the lips, free kick Argentina.

Messi stands over it and the whole stadium hushes, but the delivery is poor and a Benin defender heads it away without breaking stride. Not the one, Leo.

Here he goes, Messi spots the cross coming and sprints into the box, and you can feel the whole ground lean forward. He gets his shot away, it is heading for the corner, and for one glorious second everyone thinks it is in. It whistles a whisker past the left post.

Honestly, the groan from the stands says it all.

Benin settle into a spell of possession, sharing the ball around at a patient pace and waiting for Argentina to leave a gap. There is no real urgency yet, but they are comfortable on it and the hosts have to stay switched on.

Nicolas Otamendi pops up on the edge of the box and tries to be creative, lofting a lovely little pass to set up a teammate in behind. It is a fine idea, but a Benin defender reads it well and gets a touch before anyone in blue and white can profit.

Rodrigo de Paul finds a pocket of space just outside the box and decides to have a go. He gets plenty of power on it, not much else, and the ball sails high over the crossbar. The Benin keeper does not even have to move.

Messi sees a gap behind the last defender and goes for it, but he is a fraction too early. The linesman has it all the way and the flag goes up. Good call, and Messi just shrugs and jogs back.

Ten minutes gone, number 10 on the shirt, and the referee halts play so everyone can say thank you. The whole crowd is on its feet, the coaches and the players on the bench are clapping too, and Leo soaks it in before turning to acknowledge the stands. A proper goosebumps moment.

Benin string together a tidy little move, one-twos and quick layoffs, looking for a gap in the Argentina shape. Nothing opens up just yet, but they are enjoying the ball and the visitors clearly did not come to simply watch Messi.

Cristian Romero thinks he has won the ball cleanly, only to hear Fernando Vejar's whistle, and he is not having it. Arms out, eyes wide, he wants a word. Benin then float the free kick into the box from long range, but an Argentina defender gets there first and clears it.

Benin tap it off from the centre circle and we are away. Lionel Messi's final night in an Argentina shirt has officially begun, and every touch from here on carries a little extra weight. Settle in, this is one to savour.

Messi is not the only one struggling to hold back the tears. Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni is visibly emotional during the national anthem, wiping away tears as the farewell to his captain begins to sink in.

The formalities are underway now, with Benin's national anthem ringing out first. The broadcast then cuts to a wide shot of that giant Argentina No. 10 shirt with “Gracias” emblazoned across it. And now, it is time for the Argentina national anthem. The atmosphere is building with every passing second.

We should have been underway by now, but there is still a little wait. The broadcast has cut to the tunnel, where both teams are lining up and getting ready to walk out. Messi is yet to appear, and of course, everyone is waiting for that moment. The players begin making their way onto the pitch, and then comes Messi, all smiles as he steps out for what is a very special night, or in India's case, morning.

This one is already emotional, and I am going to apologise in advance for being a little biased today. Before kick-off, the groundstaff have unfurled a massive Argentina No. 10 shirt on the pitch, but there is no Messi name on it.

Instead, it simply reads “Gracias”. And that is enough to set the crowd off, with the stadium ringing out to “Messi, Messi, Messi!” The farewell has not even begun, and the emotions are already flowing.

The Argentina vs Benin friendly will be available to stream live on ZEE5, but Lionel Messi's farewell match will not be broadcast live on any TV channel in India.

Hello and Namaste! Welcome to our live coverage of the Argentina vs Benin international friendly in Buenos Aires. We will bring you real-time updates, live scores, key moments, tactical analysis, and instant reactions as Lionel Messi and Argentina take on Benin in what promises to be an emotional night.