Argentina 2-1 Mauritania: Wonderkid Nico Paz steals show as world champions labour at La Bombonera

Buenos Aires — Argentina continued their post-World Cup habit of facing modest opposition on Friday night and were pushed all the way before edging 115th-ranked Mauritania 2-1 at a sparsely filled Estadio Alberto J. Armando.

Enzo Fernández struck inside 17 minutes, steering in a precise Nahuel Molina cross, and the hosts appeared on course for a routine win when 21-year-old Nico Paz curled a sumptuous free-kick into the top corner on 32 minutes to double the advantage.

The goal capped an eye-catching display from the Como midfielder, who has registered 11 goals and six assists for the Serie A surprise package currently sitting fourth under Cesc Fàbregas. Paz, a product of the Real Madrid academy, is expected to return to the Bernabéu when a €9 million buy-back clause can be triggered ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Lionel Messi was introduced after the restart, symbolically replacing Paz, while Argentina also handed debuts to Palmeiras right-back Giay and Racing defender Gabriel Rojas. Palmeiras team-mate Flaco López followed off the bench as coach Lionel Scaloni rotated liberally.

Mauritania, second-from-bottom in African World Cup qualifying Group B, grew in confidence and were rewarded when Jordan Lefort lashed home a stoppage-time consolation. The goal was scant reward for a spirited second-half display that briefly unsettled the hosts.

The fixture continues a trend that has seen Argentina schedule only one top-30 nation — Ecuador — in friendlies since lifting the trophy in Qatar. Their next assignment is another African opponent, 91st-ranked Zambia, while regional rivals Brazil have recently tested themselves against France and will meet Croatia in the current window after earlier clashes with England, Spain, Senegal, Tunisia, Japan and South Korea.

Argentina, now unbeaten in 11 exhibitions since December 2022, left La Bombonera with the win but also fresh questions about the level of competition being arranged ahead of the next competitive cycle.