Clint Dempsey says fans should be excited to watch USMNT in World Cup
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- Lionel Messi had two assists in Argentina’s 6-0 win over Puerto Rico in an international soccer friendly.
- The Argentina-Puerto Rico match was played at Chase Stadium, home of Messi’s MLS team, Inter Miami.
- Messi, Inter Miami play their MLS regular-season finale on Oct. 18 against Nashville SC.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — It was a quick and easy night for Lionel Messi at his usual office.
Messi was scoreless, but played the distance with two assists as he joined Argentina for a 6-0 win against Puerto Rico in an international friendly at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister (14′ and 36′) and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez (79’ and 84’) each scored twice, while River Plate standout Gonzalo Montiel (23′) and an own goal by Puerto Rico’s Steven Echevarria were the final scores.
Messi and Inter Miami’s Rodrigo De Paul, who joined the MLS club earlier this summer, played the match with their national team at the Major League Soccer stadium. The match was relocated from Chicago’s Solider Field on Oct. 13.
“It makes us happy when he plays,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the win. “I’m sure he and Rodrigo felt at home, playing on their field.”
While Messi didn’t score, the match allowed him to play with the defending World Cup champions before he rejoins Inter Miami for its regular-season finale against Nashville SC on Saturday, Oct. 18.
Messi — who didn’t speak with the media following Tuesday’s friendly vs. Puerto Rico — had trained with the Argentine national team this week as they held two matches in South Florida, while training at Inter Miami in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
Messi did not play in Argentina’s match against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 10, opting to play in Inter Miami’s 4-0 win at home against Atlanta United on Oct. 11 – a game in which he scored twice with an assist.
Messi leads MLS with 26 goals and 18 assists (44 total goal contributions) – which could influence him being the first back-to-back MLS MVP.
The Philadelphia Union (66 points) and FC Cincinnati (62 points with 19 wins) are ahead of Inter Miami (62 points with 18 wins) in the MLS Eastern Conference.
USA TODAY Sports provided updates from the Argentina vs. Puerto Rico match:
Another goal by Lautaro Martinez on an assist from Messi in the box in the 83rd minute.
Argentina has another goal as Lautaro Martinez scores in front of the net.
Argentina has another goal after an own goal by Puerto Rico’s Steven Echevarria, who deflected a shot into the net from Argentina’s Nicolás González.
Halftime: Argentina 3, Puerto Rico 0
It’s been an easy match so far for the defending World Cup champions, as expected.
Alexis Mac Allister has scored twice (14′ and 36′), and Gonzalo Montiel (23′) scored on an assist from Messi during a 3-0 the first half for the defending World Cup champions.
Alexis Mac Allister has scored a brace with his second goal in the box in the 37th minute, off a simple tap of a pass from Flaco López.
Argentina has doubled its lead with Gonzalo Montiel firing a right boot after an assist from Messi in the 23rd minute.
Argentina is on the board after Alexis Mac Allister scored a header in front of the box on an assist by Nicolás González. The opportunity stemmed from a rebound after Messi fired a shot off the crossbar in the 14th minute.
Argentina goalkeeper Dibu Martinez saved a long-distance shot by Puerto Rico’s Leandro Antonetti in the 8th minute.
Is Messi playing today vs Puerto Rico?
Yes, Messi is in the starting lineup for Argentina.
What time is Argentina vs Puerto Rico match today?
The match begins at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina).
Where to watch the Argentina vs. Puerto Rico match on TV and live stream
The match will be broadcast by beIN Sports in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. It will also be available to live stream on Fanatiz.
Watch Argentina vs Puerto Rico on Fubo
Why was the match moved from Chicago?
The match was originally scheduled to be played at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Oct. 13, but relocated by promoter VMG Sports. Argentine media reported the change was made due to ongoing ICE protests in the Chicago area, while Chicago Park District spokesman Luca Serra told the Associated Press on Oct. 8: “The promoter made the decision this morning due to low ticket sales.”
Here’s the latest on Messi with Inter Miami and Argentina
Messi has trained with the Argentine national team this week as they held two matches in the South Florida area.
Messi did not play in Argentina’s match against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 10, opting to play in in Inter Miami’s 4-0 win at home against Atlanta United on Oct. 11 – where he scored twice with an assist.
Messi scored two goals with an assist against Atlanta, assuming the MLS lead with 26 goals and 18 assists (44 total goal contributions) – which could influence him being the first back-to-back MLS MVP.
Philadelphia (66 points) and FC Cincinnati (62 points with 19 wins) are ahead of Inter Miami (62 points with 18 wins) in the MLS Eastern Conference.
Messi is expected to be back in action with Inter Miami for the MLS regular-season finale on the road against Nashville SC on Oct. 18.
When was Messi’s last game with Argentina?
If Messi plays with Argentina against Puerto Rico, it’ll be his first match with the national team in a month.
Messi scored twice in a 3-0 win against Venezuela on Sept. 4 at Mas Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. He treated the match like his final match in his home country because Argentina is not scheduled to host any matches in the next year.
Will Messi play in the World Cup?
Messi has not yet officially declared he will play in the 2026 World Cup, saying his age and health would be factors.
“Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it. But well, we’re almost there so I’m excited and motivated to play it,” Messi said after scoring twice for Argentina against Venezuela in his final World Cup qualifier in his home country on Sept. 4.
“Match by match, I’ll finish the season, then I’ll have preseason, and there will be six months left. So, we’ll see how I feel. Hopefully I’ll have a good preseason in 2026, and finish this MLS season well, and then I’ll decide.”
