Uruguay defeats Argentina in first international friendly after Lionel Messi retirement

Uruguay defeated Argentina 2-1 in an international friendly at La Bombonera on November 13, 2026. This match represented the first appearance for the Argentina national team since the international retirement of Lionel Messi. The game, which was part of the November FIFA international window, took place before a low attendance that left several stadium sections empty.

Match details and scoring

The match was the 198th edition of the Clásico del Río de la Plata. Uruguay took an early lead in the 47th minute when Leonardo Balerdi scored an own goal. Uruguay expanded their lead in the 53rd minute through a goal by Maximiliano Araújo. Argentina responded in the 74th minute when Julián Álvarez scored following an assist from Gianluca Prestianni. Despite the goal, Julián Álvarez expressed frustration regarding the defeat, noting that it was an important match for the squad.

The match featured a 28-player squad for Argentina. The Uruguayan side was managed by interim coach Diego Forlán during the encounter. While the final score was 2-1, the specific circumstances surrounding Uruguay's second goal were subject to differing reports, with one outlet describing it as a loose mark on Enzo Fernández and another describing it as a corner kick.

Historical context and records

This fixture adds to the historical record of the Clásico del Río de la Plata. Argentina holds 92 wins in the series, while Uruguay has 58 wins. The two teams have played to 46 draws. This match also marks the 11th defeat for coach Lionel Scaloni during his coaching cycle. This loss follows a period of successful results for Argentina, which included wins against Bolivia (4-0), Burkina Faso (7-0), and Benín (3-0).

The match was played in front of a low attendance, leaving several sections of the stadium empty. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni stated that he was unaware of the exact number of spectators present and had no specific reading on the low attendance levels during the match.

Upcoming international fixtures

Argentina will continue their schedule with a friendly against Costa Rica in Córdoba on November 17, 2026. Following that match, the Argentina national team will enter a break before their next scheduled international friendly window. This next window is set to take place from March 22 to March 30, 2027.

The transition marks the beginning of the post-Lionel Messi era for the Argentina national team. The squad featured various players including Thiago Almada, Enzo Fernández, Aaron Anselmino, Mariano Troilo, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás González, Rodrigo De Paul, Giovani Lo Celso, Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Agustín Giay, Román Vega, Facundo Medina, Matías Soulé, and Nico Paz.

Glossary

• Córdoba — A city where association football is the most popular sport. It is also a location for basketball and rugby union.
• Clásico del Río de la Plata — The Clásico del Río de la Plata is a traditional football match disputed between the Uruguayan and Argentine national teams. It is considered the oldest classic outside of the British Isles.
• FIFA international window — A FIFA international window is a period during which international football competitions take place. For example, the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup was held during a FIFA international window.