Albiceleste’s squad finally crossed the finish line with a 2-0 victory in the first leg, cementing their status as world champions in a match that carried national celebration beyond the sport.
The Más Monumental stadium transformed into a festival, a celebration of Argentina’s most significant cultural moment. The day began with varied performances, heartfelt tributes, and palpable emotion, culminating in an Argentina win over Panama by 2-0.
La Scaloneta enjoyed their world title in front of a passionate crowd, yet they faced more resistance than initially expected as the Panamanian defense held firm. The first half felt like a party, but it gradually became clear that the visitors had arrived to compete seriously. Lionel Messi’s free kicks posed the greatest danger, striking the crossbar, narrowly missing, and being blocked by the goalkeeper.
At 77 minutes, the breakthrough arrived thanks to the captain’s accuracy from set pieces and a rebound finished by Thiago Almada. Relief washed over the home side; while the Central Americans offered little threat, the night seemed poised to end without a sensational moment—until the biggest idol stepped forward.
Moments before the final whistle, Messi gathered the ball and, with a precise free kick, tucked it into the corner to mark his 800th goal as a professional, a landmark moment that capped the night with a roar of joy from the crowd.
The party continues next Monday in Paraguay, when CONMEBOL honors them in the Copa Libertadores draw, and Tuesday in Santiago del Estero when they face Curaçao.
Next up for GOAL, the team’s celebrations unfold on the field.
ARGENTINA – PANAMA, MINUTE BY MINUTE
- The match unfolded minute by minute between the Albiceleste and the Canaleros.
- ARGENTINE GOAL! The long-awaited moment arrives, Messi scores. Leo reaches 800 goals in his remarkable career.
- ARGENTINE GOAL! Thiago Almada makes it 1-0.
- That was a fantastic strike, Leo!
- The anthem echoes through the stadium as the team lines up.
- Argentina lines up once more as the world champions on the night.
- Ovations for Dibu Martínez as he warms up and receives the first standing applause of the night.
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THE DIBU ENTERS THE FIELD AS HE PREFACES THE MATCH, displaying the team’s third star to the audience. ⭐⭐⭐
— TyC Sports
- The national anthem plays prior to kickoff.
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SOOOOOOOOOOS! Fer Romero, the author of the iconic World Cup anthem, leads the crowd in song for a packed Monumental.
— TyC Sports
- Good evening and welcome to another GOAL broadcast. Argentina faces Panama on the FIFA date at the Monumental stadium.
THE TARGET EXAMPLE
HOW TO WATCH LIVE ON TV AND STREAMING
The match between the Albiceleste and the Canaleros will be shown in Argentina on TyC Sports. In Colombia and Chile, DirectTV Sports will carry the broadcast.
FORMATIONS
ARGENTINA
Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis MacAllister; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Angel Di Maria. DT: Lionel Scaloni.
PANAMA
To confirm.
Source: Goal