Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass with two assists and sparked a third goal, leading World Cup champions Argentina to a commanding 6-0 victory over Puerto Rico in an international friendly on Tuesday night at DRV PNK Stadium. Originally scheduled for Chicago, the match was relocated due to a combination of low ticket sales and concerns over an immigration crackdown in the area, which has seen over 1,000 arrests since September. Despite a half-filled stadium at kickoff, the No. 3-ranked Argentina showcased their dominance against the 155th-ranked Puerto Rico, with Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martínez each scoring twice in a one-sided affair.

Messi, playing on his home turf with Inter Miami, was instrumental in Argentina’s attacking flair. In the first half, he lofted a delicate pass to Gonzalo Montiel, who slotted home, and later delivered a pinpoint back pass in the 83rd minute to set up Martínez’s second goal. The Inter Milan striker capitalized on Messi’s vision, while Mac Allister’s brace and an own goal by Puerto Rico further padded the scoreline. A standout moment came early in the second half when Puerto Rico’s goalkeeper, Sebastian Cutler—a Villanova University player—denied Messi with a stunning save on a header, followed by another on a 15-yard shot. Puerto Rico nearly pulled off a shock in the eighth minute when Leandro Antonetti’s audacious long-range effort forced a scrambling save from Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez.

The matchup, peculiar for its disparity in team rankings and the inclusion of college players like Cutler and DePaul’s Noeh Hernández in Puerto Rico’s squad, served as a preparatory fixture for Argentina ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The game’s backdrop was complicated by U.S. political tensions, with President Donald Trump threatening to relocate World Cup matches from Boston due to reported unrest, a move that echoes his earlier warnings and adds uncertainty to the tournament’s planning.

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The relocated friendly, with tickets as low as $25, highlighted logistical challenges but did little to dim Argentina’s brilliance. Messi’s playmaking, combined with clinical finishing from his teammates, reaffirmed the team’s status as favorites to defend their 2022 title. For Puerto Rico, the match offered valuable exposure against elite opposition, though the gulf in class was evident. As Argentina gears up for the World Cup, their depth and Messi’s enduring genius remain formidable.

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