Argentina Beat Mauritania 2-1 As Paz Free-Kick Seals Tight Friendly Win

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Argentina continued preparations for defending the World Cup title with a narrow 2-1 friendly victory over Mauritania, but the performance raised questions. Despite an early two-goal cushion in Buenos Aires, Lionel Scaloni's team faded after the break, allowing Mauritania to dominate late on and come close to claiming a draw against the world champions.

The visitors finished with more shots and higher expected goals, underlining how strongly Mauritania responded after falling behind. Aboubakary Koita led that reaction and Argentina struggled to create chances once the early intensity dropped, with the hosts failing to register a single effort on target during the second half.

Statistically, the contest served as a warning for Argentina during this World Cup build-up. Mauritania ended with 35.7% possession yet produced more expected goals, 0.87 xG compared with Argentina's 0.67, and also attempted more shots overall, taking 11 to the home team's seven across the 90 minutes.

Most of Mauritania's threat arrived after the interval. Eight of their 11 attempts and 0.76 of their total xG came during the second half, when Argentina's control slipped. Koita stood out with three shots, four touches in the box, two chances created and five duels won, highlighting Mauritania's confidence against elite opposition.

*Argentina did not register a meaningful chance after half-time, with their only effort off target.

Argentina started aggressively and went ahead in the 17th minute after pressure on the right flank. Atletico Madrid teammates Thiago Almada and Nahuel Molina combined neatly, with Molina driving a low cross into the area, and Enzo Fernandez arriving on cue to steer the ball past the Mauritania goalkeeper from close range.

Mauritania almost replied quickly when Ibrahima Keita met a loose ball on the edge of the area. Keita struck a firm first-time effort that flashed just wide of Emiliano Martinez's left post. Argentina then doubled the lead in the 32nd minute as Nico Paz curled a free-kick into the bottom-right corner, scoring a first senior goal for the national team.

Argentina vs Mauritania friendly: Messi appearance and late Mauritania pressure

Lionel Messi entered at half-time, giving the crowd in Buenos Aires another focal point. Messi nearly found the net when a curling effort drifted past the post, but that chance was Argentina's only shot after the interval. From that moment, Mauritania took control of territory and attacking momentum.

Martinez had to respond to growing pressure as Mauritania pushed forward in waves. Koita and Souleymane Anne both forced the Argentina goalkeeper into important saves, with efforts from inside the area. The resistance finally broke in the 94th minute when Jordan Lefort reacted quickest at the back post after a scramble and finished from close range.

Argentina vs Mauritania friendly: wider context for World Cup defence

Despite the anxious finish against Mauritania, Argentina's friendly record since completing World Cup qualifying remains strong. Scaloni's team have won four straight friendlies by an overall score of 11-1, showing consistent results even when performances fluctuate. The latest match, however, highlighted areas to review before the World Cup title defence starts.