The world champions close out their 2025 calendar with a friendly encounter that pits Argentina against Angola at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda on Friday. While it is a low-stakes fixture on paper, both sides will treat it as a valuable opportunity, Angola as a tune-up ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, and Argentina as a chance to fine-tune their rhythm and test squad depth before the busy 2026 World Cup year.
After a mixed World Cup qualifying campaign, Angola will be looking to restore confidence on home soil. The Palancas Negras ended their qualification journey with a goalless draw against Cameroon, a result emblematic of their campaign’s frustrations, steady performances but not enough cutting edge in attack. Finishing fourth in Group D with two wins, six draws, and two defeats, Angola fell short of both Cape Verde and Cameroon in their bid to return to the World Cup for the first time since Germany 2006.
New head coach Patrice Beaumelle, however, has quickly instilled a sense of stability since his appointment. Under his early tenure, Angola are unbeaten in their last three matches (one win and two draws), showing improved defensive resilience and a growing understanding of his tactical setup. The Frenchman’s focus has been on compact shape and quick transitions, with an emphasis on discipline rather than risk-taking, an approach that should serve them well when they face top-tier opposition like Argentina.
This friendly, along with the upcoming clash against Guinea-Bissau, forms part of Angola’s final preparations for AFCON 2025, where they will compete in a challenging group alongside South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Egypt. Friday’s fixture, therefore, will be an important measuring stick for how far Beaumelle’s side have come tactically, particularly in their ability to cope with elite-level pressing and attacking movement.
For Argentina, this match is less about results and more about refinement. Lionel Scaloni’s men have already shifted their focus toward the 2026 World Cup, having comfortably topped CONMEBOL qualifying with 12 wins, two draws, and four defeats, finishing nine points clear of Ecuador in second place. Their campaign could have been even more dominant had they not lost 1-0 away to Ecuador in the final round, but the setback did little to dampen their momentum.
Since then, Argentina have rebounded strongly, posting back-to-back wins in October, 1-0 over Venezuela and a 6-0 demolition of Puerto Rico, where Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martínez both netted braces. The performance reaffirmed their attacking fluency and showcased the squad’s depth, as Scaloni continues to rotate emerging talents into a team that still features veterans like Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Emiliano Martínez.
Originally scheduled to also face Australia, the cancellation of that match means this friendly against Angola will be Argentina’s final outing of 2025. Having won seven of their nine fixtures this year, the Albiceleste will be eager to finish on a high note and extend their winning culture into the next calendar year.
Historically, Argentina have met Angola just once, a 2-0 victory in 2006, when goals from Maxi Rodríguez and Juan Pablo Sorín sealed the result. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Head coach Patrice Beaumelle will field a strong lineup as Angola gear up for their final friendly before the Africa Cup of Nations. There are no fresh suspensions or major injury concerns in the squad, allowing the French tactician to deploy his preferred system with a blend of experience and youth.
That said, Agostinho Mabululu, Angola’s in-form striker, has been nursing a minor thigh issue but is expected to feature from the start. Midfield anchor Show, who missed the last international window due to muscle fatigue, has regained full fitness but misses out against Argentina.
Beaumelle has made defensive stability his priority since taking charge, and this friendly will likely continue that trend. His side has conceded only twice in their last three matches, with the back line developing improved cohesion. However, facing the reigning world champions will be a true test of their compact defensive structure and transition play.
Angola are expected to line up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, which provides defensive balance while allowing their wingers to attack in transition. Neblu, the experienced 31-year-old shot-stopper, is set to start in goal, preferred over Hugo Marques for his communication and penalty-area command.
In defence, Clinton Mata will occupy the right-back position, offering pace and overlapping runs, while To Carneiro will hold down the left flank, tasked with tracking Argentina’s wide forwards. The central defence pairing of David Carmo and Kialonda Gaspar brings both aerial dominance and composure on the ball, key attributes against Argentina’s high pressing game.
In midfield, Fredy Kulembe and Beni Mukendi will operate as the double pivot, sitting deep to screen the defence and recycle possession. Ahead of them, Zito Luvumbo will start on the right wing, offering direct dribbling and counter-attacking pace, while Felicio Milson takes up the left side, cutting inside to support the attack. Manuel Benson will be deployed centrally as the playmaker, looking to link midfield to attack and exploit spaces between the lines.
Leading the line will be Mabululu, Angola’s key goal threat and physical presence up front. Known for his intelligent movement and finishing ability, he will be relied upon to stretch Argentina’s defence and capitalise on any transition opportunities.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neblu; Mata, Carmo, Gaspar, Carneiro; Fredy, Beni; Luvumbo, Benson, Milson; Mabululu
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has made several enforced changes to his squad ahead of the friendly against Angola due to unforeseen administrative and fitness setbacks. Nahuel Molina, Julian Alvarez, and Giuliano Simeone were all withdrawn from the travelling party after failing to complete the necessary yellow fever vaccination procedures, which are required for entry into Angola.
Their absence slightly disrupts Scaloni’s attacking depth and right-sided balance, forcing a few tactical adjustments. In addition, Enzo Fernandez has been ruled out of this international window as the Chelsea midfielder continues his recovery from an ongoing knee injury. His absence robs Argentina of one of their most consistent performers in midfield, someone capable of dictating play and transitioning quickly from defence to attack.
However, Scaloni has moved quickly to fill the gaps, calling up Emiliano Buendia from Aston Villa, Leandro Paredes from Boca Juniors, and Kevin Mac Allister, brother of Alexis Mac Allister, from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise to bolster his options.
There are no suspension concerns within the squad, and the rest of the core group remains intact. Lionel Messi, who continues to show remarkable consistency in national colours, is expected to lead the team from the front once again. Meanwhile, Emiliano Martinez, who has featured heavily throughout 2025, will be rested, paving the way for Geronimo Rulli to start between the posts.
The match also offers Scaloni an opportunity to experiment with combinations and evaluate fringe players in competitive conditions before the 2026 World Cup cycle intensifies. Argentina are expected to deploy a slightly tweaked 4-4-2 formation, maintaining their disciplined defensive shape while ensuring fluidity in attack. Geronimo Rulli will start in goal, offering solid distribution and experience as the backup to Emiliano Martínez.
In defence, Juan Foyth will slot in at right-back, providing defensive assurance and buildup composure, while Nicolas Tagliafico will occupy the left-back position, balancing defensive stability with forward support. The central defensive pairing of Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi will bring aggression, aerial strength, and leadership, essential qualities against Angola’s direct approach.
Across midfield, Nico Paz is expected to feature on the right flank, using his energy and pressing ability to maintain balance. In the centre, Alexis Mac Allister will play alongside Giovani Lo Celso, forming a creative and industrious pairing. Their complementary styles, Mac Allister’s vision and Lo Celso’s ball progression, will drive Argentina’s tempo and allow smooth transitions between phases of play. On the left, Thiago Almada will provide attacking thrust and link-up play, drifting inside to combine with the forwards.
Up front, Lionel Messi will partner Lautaro Martinez, reprising a combination that has delivered consistent results. Messi will operate in a free role, dropping deep to orchestrate play and exploit spaces between the lines, while Martinez will lead the line, using his intelligent movement and finishing instinct to stretch the defence and create space for others. This partnership, supported by overlapping full-backs and midfield runners, is designed to break down low blocks efficiently.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Rulli; Foyth, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Paz, Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Almada; Messi, Martinez
This will be only the second-ever meeting between Angola and Argentina. Their previous encounter came in May 2006, a pre-World Cup friendly in Italy, where Argentina won 2-0 with goals from Maxi Rodriguez and Juan Pablo Sorin.
The reigning world champions have been in superb touch, winning seven of their nine matches in 2025 and keeping six clean sheets in that period. Their last defeat came in September against Ecuador during the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
Since Patrice Beaumelle took charge earlier this year, Angola have become more resilient, going three matches unbeaten (W1 D2) and conceding just two goals across those games.
Under Lionel Scaloni, Argentina have scored 18 goals in their last five international fixtures, averaging 3.6 goals per game, including a 6-0 demolition of Puerto Rico in their most recent outing.
Angola have lost only one of their last five home matches across all competitions, demonstrating their growing solidity in Luanda. However, they have never beaten a South American opponent in their history, a streak they will attempt to end against the world champions.
Even at 38, Lionel Messi remains the heartbeat of the Argentina national team and continues to redefine longevity at the highest level. The Inter Miami forward enters this friendly against Angola in sublime form, having been directly involved in a goal in each of his last six international appearances. Though the stakes in Luanda are low, Messi’s presence ensures every Argentina match carries a sense of occasion and authority.
Messi’s role under Lionel Scaloni has evolved from being the team’s primary goalscorer to its creative conductor. He now operates in a freer, deeper position, dictating tempo, linking midfield to attack, and creating spaces for Lautaro Martinez and the onrushing midfielders. His vision, spatial awareness, and passing range continue to set him apart; even in friendlies, his motivation to influence the game rarely fades.
Against Angola, Messi’s technical mastery will be crucial in unlocking what is expected to be a compact defensive setup under Patrice Beaumelle. His interplay with Thiago Almada and Alexis Mac Allister should give Argentina multiple passing triangles in advanced areas, while his ability to drop between the lines could draw Angolan defenders out of shape.
Beyond tactics, Messi’s leadership and presence inspire a relatively young squad, his mere involvement ensures the rhythm, confidence, and fluidity Scaloni desires from Argentina heading into 2026. For Angola, containing him will be less about neutralising one man and more about surviving a system that revolves around his creative brilliance.
Expect Messi to orchestrate the tempo, carve open defences with inch-perfect passes, and possibly mark Argentina’s final game of 2025 with yet another moment of genius that underlines why he remains football’s timeless maestro.
Friday’s friendly in Luanda offers a fascinating contrast in class and ambition. Angola, rebuilding under Patrice Beaumelle, are determined to show progress ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations campaign, while Argentina, the reigning world champions, will treat the match as both a performance exercise and a symbolic send-off to a remarkable 2025.
Angola have developed greater defensive structure in recent months, conceding just twice in their last three outings. Their physicality and home support should allow them to stay competitive early on, particularly if Fredy Kulembe and Beni Mukendi can shield the defence effectively. However, they lack the creative and technical edge to consistently threaten a side of Argentina’s pedigree.
Lionel Scaloni’s men, by contrast, arrive with cohesion, depth, and momentum. Even with several absences, Enzo Fernandez, Nahuel Molina, and Julian Alvarez among them, Argentina’s lineup still brims with quality. The chemistry between Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez should provide the cutting edge, supported by the midfield artistry of Alexis Mac Allister and Giovani Lo Celso. The visitors are also likely to dominate possession, patiently probing before breaking through Angola’s defensive lines.
While the hosts may frustrate Argentina for a while with disciplined defending and counterattacking bursts through Pedro Luvumbo, the Albiceleste’s superior technique and game management will eventually prevail. Scaloni may rotate in the second half, but even his bench options far outmatch Angola’s in depth and quality.
