Argentina flop in first match without Messi: Scaloni beaten by Uruguay, own goal from Roma’s Balerdi. Half-empty Bombonera, Walter Samuel bids farewell to the Albiceleste

The new era for Argentina’s national team without Lionel Messi gets off to a bad start. At La Bombonera in Buenos Aires, half-empty for the occasion, the Albiceleste lose a friendly against Uruguay in Scaloni’s side’s first outing since Lionel Messi’s retirement from the Seleccion.

The head coach had extended his contract until 2030, while his trusted assistant Walter Samuel had departed to embark on a coaching career of his own. Argentina were expected to make a better start, but stumbled immediately against rivals coached by former Inter player Forlan.

With the number 10 shirt left vacant by Messi and not assigned on this occasion, Scaloni chose a front three of Nico Paz, Julian Álvarez and Thiago Almada.

Here are the starting line-ups:

Argentina (4-3-3): Rulli; Montiel, Balerdi, Martínez, Medina; Mac Allister, Fernández, Palacios; Paz, Álvarez, Almada.

Uruguay (4-2-3-1): Fiermarin; Varela, R. Araújo, Olivera, Piquerez; Torreira, Bentancur; Canobbio, De Arrascaeta, M. Araújo; Núñez.

The match ended 1-2 after Maxi Araujo scored in the 53rd minute, following an unfortunate own goal from Leonardo Balerdi in the 48th. Julian Alvarez scored in the 73rd minute, but it was not enough. With Lautaro Martinez injured, Como's Paz and Roma's Balerdi played the full 90 minutes. Roma's Matias Soulé played the entire second half. Troilo, Perrone, Mastantuono, Simeone and Castro did not come on.