When Lionel Andrés Messi, captain of Argentina national football team stepped onto the pitch at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the atmosphere felt more like a showcase than a routine friendly. The match, officially an international friendlyFort Lauderdale, Florida, had been slated for Chicago’s Soldier Field just a day earlier. The sudden relocation set the tone for a night that would blend logistics drama with a dominant performance from the reigning World Cup champions.
Background and Relocation Drama
The original plan was simple: a mid‑week showcase in Chicago, a city with a sizable Argentine diaspora. But last‑minute emails from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and Chicago officials clashed over the reason for the move. City officials pointed to “low ticket sales” while the AFA cited a "heightened immigration crackdown" that had seen more than 1,000 arrests in the region during September. The contradictory explanations left fans confused and the press scrambling for clarity. What’s clear is that the match ended up at Chase Stadium, the home ground of Messi’s MLS side, Inter Miami CF, giving the Argentine squad a familiar backdrop.
Attendance was modest at kickoff – roughly half the stadium’s 20,000‑seat capacity – but ticket prices had dipped to an unprecedented $25, drawing a mix of die‑hard supporters and curious locals. By halftime, the crowd swelled as word of the early goals spread through the concourse.
Match Summary: Goals and Key Plays
The opening salvo came in the 14th minute when Alexis Javier Mac Allister latched onto a quick one‑two with Lionel Andrés Messi and slotted the ball low to the right corner. Just nine minutes later, Gonzalo Montiel doubled the lead, finishing off a lofted pass that Messi flicked over the Puerto Rican back line.
- 14' – Mac Allister (AR) – assisted by Messi
- 23' – Montiel (AR) – assisted by Messi
- 36' – Mac Allister (AR) – solo effort
- 64' – Own goal by Steven Echevarria (PR)
- 79' – Lautaro Javier Martínez (AR) – tap‑in after a cross from Pablo Martínez
- 84' – Martínez (AR) – finished a quick break set up by a back‑heel from Messi
The second half was a showcase of depth. Argentina rotated three fresh legs at the 58‑minute mark, while Puerto Rico’s defender Steven Echevarria inadvertently redirected a stray cross into his own net, pushing the score to 4‑0. The final 20 minutes saw Lautaro Javier Martínez find the net twice, cementing a 6‑0 rout.
Messi’s Contributions and Tactical Role
Even without finding the back of the net, Messi’s influence was palpable. The Argentine captain notched two assists and was directly involved in the build‑up to a third goal. His first assist – a quick, lifted lob that floated over the Puerto Rican defense – set up Montiel’s 23‑minute strike. Later, a razor‑sharp back‑pass inside the box found Martínez sprinting onto a rebound, leading to the 84‑minute clincher.
"Messi’s vision is still worlds apart," said Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni. "He may not have scored, but his timing and precision opened up spaces for the whole team." Scaloni also highlighted that Messi rotated between a false‑nine role and a deeper play‑making position, allowing younger forwards to exploit the gaps he created.
From a tactical standpoint, Argentina deployed a 4‑3‑3, with Messi often drifting left to link midfield and attack. This movement forced Puerto Rico’s back line to stretch, creating pockets of space that Mac Allister and Martínez exploited. The match also marked the debut of three Argentine players – Juan Ignacio Varela, Facundo Roncaglia, and Matías Rojas – all of whom earned minutes in the second half.
Reactions from Players, Coaches, and Fans
After the final whistle, Puerto Rican captain Johnatan Cutler admitted the team was out‑matched but praised Argentina’s professionalism. "We know where we stand. Playing against Messi and his teammates is a learning experience," he said.
Messi himself stayed modest. In a brief post‑match interview with beIN SPORTS, he remarked, "I’m happy to help the team. The goals are what matter, not who scores them." The crowd at Chase Stadium responded with a standing ovation, the cheers echoing long after the stadium lights dimmed.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami’s fanbase was ecstatic. Social‑media threads overflowed with clips of Messi’s assists, many noting that the $25 tickets sold out within an hour. Local vendors reported a surge in sales of Argentine flags and jerseys, turning the evening into an impromptu street festival.
Implications for World Cup Qualification
The 6‑0 victory is more than a morale boost; it’s a strategic rehearsal for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which begin in November. Argentina, sitting atop the CONMEBOL table, will face Peru on November 12 before a decisive clash with Brazil in early December. Coach Scaloni emphasized that rotating the squad – as he did on Tuesday – allows him to assess depth ahead of the grueling qualification schedule.
Statistically, Argentina’s goal‑difference now stands at +30 after just three friendlies in 2025, a figure that rivals historic campaigns from the early 2000s. Analysts at ESPN predict that the blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent could see the Albiceleste cruising through the South American qualifiers, provided they maintain defensive stability – something the Puerto Rico match highlighted as a potential weak spot.
Key Facts
- Match date: October 14, 2025
- Venue: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Final score: Argentina 6, Puerto Rico 0
- Messi’s assists: 2 (Montiel, Martínez)
- Argentina’s goal scorers: Alexis Mac Allister (2), Gonzalo Montiel, Lautaro Martínez (2), own‑goal by Steven Echevarria
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the friendly moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale?
Chicago officials cited low ticket sales, while the Argentine Football Association blamed a recent immigration crackdown that led to over 1,000 arrests in the area. The conflicting reasons left the match’s relocation somewhat ambiguous, but the move ensured player safety and logistical simplicity.
How did Messi influence the game without scoring?
Messi provided two assists – a lofted pass to Gonzalo Montiel and a back‑heel to Lautaro Martínez – and helped orchestrate the build‑up to a third goal. His positional play opened spaces for teammates, demonstrating his continued impact as a playmaker.
What does this result mean for Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers?
The dominant win boosts confidence and offers a tactical test for squad rotation ahead of the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign, which kicks off in November 2025. Maintaining such firepower while tightening defense will be pivotal for securing a top spot.
Who were the debutants for Argentina in this match?
Juan Ignacio Varela, Facundo Roncaglia, and Matías Rojas earned their first caps for the senior side, each coming on in the second half as part of Scaloni’s experimentation with depth.
How did Puerto Rico’s side perform despite the loss?
Puerto Rico struggled to contain Argentina’s fluid attack and were punished for defensive lapses, culminating in an own goal by Steven Echevarria. However, their captain Johnatan Cutler praised the experience as a valuable learning curve for future CONCACAF competitions.
