Buenos Aires: Argentina overwhelmed Burkina Faso seven nil at the Monumental stadium on Saturday, scoring three times inside the opening 12 minutes before completing a comfortable international friendly victory.
Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring in the fourth minute after a foul on Agustín Giay earned Argentina a penalty. Visiting goalkeeper Razack Guira saved Martínez’s initial effort, but the striker reacted quickly to convert the rebound.
Argentina doubled their advantage four minutes later when Moumouni Diallo diverted a Julián Álvarez attempt into his own net.
Gianluca Prestianni made it three in the 12th minute, exchanging passes with Martínez before finishing powerfully for his first senior international goal. The young attacker later added an assist, playing a prominent role in Argentina’s first half dominance.
Nico Paz scored the fourth in the 35th minute after an Alexis Mac Allister pass, recovering from his initial attempt to finish. Álvarez struck a minute later following a flowing team move and Prestianni’s final pass, sending Argentina into the interval five goals ahead.
Franco Mastantuono added the sixth after the break, while Giuliano Simeone completed the scoring with a late header.
The result came against a weakened visiting team. Spanish sports newspaper AS reported that Burkina Faso’s senior side had declined to travel because of contractual disagreements, leaving an under 23 squad to fulfil the fixture. The replacement players reportedly arrived in Buenos Aires only six hours before kickoff.
That backdrop is significant when assessing the scale of Argentina’s victory, with the visitors facing a substantial disadvantage in preparation and experience.
Argentina now turn their attention to Tuesday’s match against Benin at the same stadium, where Lionel Messi is scheduled to make his farewell appearance for the national team.
