Africa-Press – Angola. Angolan national football team lost to Argentina 2-0 on Friday at the 11 de Novembro Stadium in Luanda, in a friendly match held as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Angola’s National Independence, which took place on Tuesday , November 11.
More than a friendly, it was a celebration of “Dipanda (Independence)” with a stadium where 48,000 spectators were present, honoring the world champion team (Qatar 2022), captained by star Lionel Messi.
Playing as hosts, Angola lived up to this factor and imposed a difficult first half on the visitors, with Zito Luvumbo on attack creating goal opportunities and Tó Carneiro as the most relevant unit in containing the opposing attack.
Until the 43rd minute, when Argentina scored through Lautaro Martínez, the match was proceeding with offensive ascendancy from the Palancas Negras (Sable Anterlopes – Angola’s national team nickname).
Upon resumption, already more accustomed to the stadium’s turf (they did not have an adaptation training session) and better acquainted with the Angolans’ game, the Argentinians controlled the match, and Lionel Messi’s goal in the 81st minute demonstrates this.
After the goal, the eight-time FIFA World Player of the Year was substituted. He returns to the USA on a private plane, as does the general delegation to Argentina, but with the Angolan airline TAAG.
Angola plays again on Tuesday against Zambia, at the same stadium. Initially, the opponent was to be Guinea-Bissau.
These two FIFA international matches are part of the national team’s preparation for the African Cup of Nations, to be held from December in Morocco.
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