Benin hold Argentina to half-time draw as Messi farewell takes centre stage

Benin have frustrated Argentina in the first half of their friendly in Buenos Aires, with the Guepards going into the interval level at 0-0 despite conceding several chances.

The match is being played against the backdrop of Lionel Messi’s announced farewell to the Argentina national team. However, Gernot Rohr’s side have shown considerable resilience, while also threatening the world champions on the counter-attack.

Argentina gradually took control of possession and began probing for openings in the Benin defensive block. Messi created a number of opportunities, including a free-kick in the 26th minute, but Marcel Dandjinou made a confident save to deny him.

The Benin goalkeeper remained alert as Argentina continued to attack, while the Guepards’ defence repeatedly intervened to keep the hosts from finding a way through.

Benin have not simply defended deep, though. They threatened for the first time in the 17th minute, when Aiyegun Tosin headed wide from a corner.

Two minutes later, Junior Olaitan went close to breaking the deadlock after Rodolfo Aloko picked him out with a cut-back. The visitors continued to look dangerous whenever they moved forward quickly.

Argentina’s best opening came in the 32nd minute. Messi found space to shoot, but his effort went wide of the post.

Benin then created another promising opening in the 40th minute, as a combination between Tosin and Olaitan came close to producing a goal. Olaitan tested Emiliano Martinez two minutes later, forcing the Argentina goalkeeper into an intervention.

The Guepards can take confidence from a disciplined first-half display that has kept Argentina scoreless and allowed them to trouble the world champions at the other end.

They will need to maintain that defensive organisation after the break while making better use of their transitions if they are to complete a surprise result.