Argentina Lose 2-1 to Uruguay Without Messi

ARGENTINA · FOOTBALL

Argentina lost a friendly to Uruguay with two early second-half goals against them, in the first match since Lionel Messi retired from the national team.

Argentina lost 2-1 to Uruguay in Buenos Aires on Friday 13 November, in their first match since Lionel Messi, who now plays club football for Inter Miami in the United States, retired from the national team in early October. The friendly was played at La Bombonera, the Boca Juniors stadium, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said in its match report of 13 November.

Uruguay scored twice early in the second half, through an own goal by Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi in the 48th minute and a goal by forward Maximiliano Araújo in the 53rd. Argentina forward Julián Álvarez pulled one back for Argentina in the 73rd minute, and our preview of the friendly has the kick-off details.

How Uruguay Won at La Bombonera

The match was 0-0 at half-time, according to Montevideo Portal, a Uruguayan news site, in a report published on Friday 13 November. It wrote that Argentina controlled the first half, and that the clearest chance was a shot by Álvarez that Uruguay’s goalkeeper Cristopher Fiermarín saved in the 7th minute.

The first goal came when Uruguay midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta crossed and defender Ronald Araújo flicked the ball on, Montevideo Portal wrote. Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez headed it clear, but it hit Balerdi and went into the net.

Maximiliano Araújo made it 2-0 five minutes later with a header at the near post from a De Arrascaeta corner, according to the same report. Álvarez pulled one back in the 73rd minute, but Argentina did not find an equaliser, the AFA match report shows.

The referee was Flavio Rodrigues de Souza of Brazil, the AFA said. Lionel Scaloni coached Argentina and Diego Forlán coached Uruguay.

A Team Without Its Number 10

This was Argentina’s first match since Messi retired from international football in early October, the Associated Press (AP, a US news agency) reported on 13 November. Scaloni left the No. 10 shirt unassigned, AP said, and he has not picked a successor and says it is not mandatory.

AP judged that Argentina kept its polished possession but “lacked the explosive, incisive spark that Messi typically delivered in the final third”. It added that neither Argentina players Nicolás Paz nor Thiago Almada filled that void.

Scaloni took a different view at his press conference on 13 November, saying the team played well in general, as the AFA recorded. The two judgments differ: AP saw a missing spark, while the coach saw good things to analyse.

What Scaloni Said After the Match

Scaloni said at the press conference on 13 November, in remarks we have translated from Spanish, that “beyond the final result, the match leaves good things to analyse”. He added that Argentina knew Uruguay would be a difficult rival and must keep working, according to the AFA transcript.

He said Uruguay deserved congratulations and called them “a good team” that gives the powers a game. On Tuesday, he said, he will surely make some changes, but some players should repeat to gain rhythm.

He also said he has “no doubt the fans will support us” and that the team must repay that trust. Scaloni extended his contract through 2030 earlier this week, AP reported on 13 November.

The same report said La Bombonera fell short of a sellout.

What This Means for Argentina Followers

Nothing in a league table or in qualification was at stake, because the AFA described the match as a friendly in the November FIFA window, the period reserved for international games. The result therefore matters for mood and for the debate on how Argentina plays after Messi, not for points.

For US readers, this was a first look at Argentina after Messi’s international retirement, which AP dated to early October. Messi still plays club football for Inter Miami in the United States, according to our earlier reporting.

Argentina play Costa Rica on Tuesday 17 November at 20:00 local time at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba, the AFA said. It is the second and last match of the window.

Uruguay host the Dominican Republic on the same day, Tuesday 17 November, AP reported. Our Argentina news page will carry the Costa Rica match.

What Is Not Known

Scaloni has not named a successor to the No. 10 shirt, and he said it is not mandatory to pick one, AP reported on 13 November. It is not known who, if anyone, will wear that shirt against Costa Rica on Tuesday.

AP gave no attendance figure, only that the stadium fell short of a sellout. Scaloni did not name the changes he plans for Tuesday, he said at the press conference on 13 November.

It is not yet clear how the 2-1 defeat will change his view of the squad. He said the team played well in general, but he gave no further detail on what he would adjust.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score between Argentina and Uruguay?

Uruguay won 2-1 at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires on Friday 13 November, the AFA said. Álvarez scored Argentina’s goal in the 73rd minute.

Did Lionel Messi play against Uruguay?

No. It was Argentina’s first match since Messi retired from international football in early October, AP reported, and the AFA line-up does not list him.

Who scored the goals in Argentina against Uruguay?

Leonardo Balerdi’s own goal (48th minute) and Maximiliano Araújo (53rd) scored for Uruguay. Julián Álvarez (73rd) scored for Argentina, the AFA said.

When does Argentina play next?

Argentina play Costa Rica on Tuesday 17 November at 20:00 local time in Córdoba, the AFA said. It is the last match of the November window.

Sources: AFA, Argentine Football Association: match report, 13 November 2026; AFA, Argentine Football Association: Scaloni press conference, 13 November 2026; Associated Press via ABC News, 13 November 2026; Montevideo Portal, 13 November 2026.