“Thank God We Didn’t Play the Finalissima” – Emiliano Martínez slams Argentina’s performance against Mauritiania

Argentina may have secured a 2-1 victory over Mauritaniabut the performance left plenty to be desired, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez openly criticizing the team after the match at La Bombonera.

The friendly, arranged after the cancellation of the Finalissima clash, also carried emotional weight for fans eager to see Lionel Messi amid ongoing uncertainty over his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 38-year-old began the match on the bench, with head coach Lionel Scaloni managing his minutes carefully.

Argentina started brightly and took the lead in the 17th minute. Nahuel Molina, advancing from right-back, delivered a sharp cross into the box, which Enzo Fernández finished clinically to make it 1-0. The early goal suggested a comfortable evening for the world champions, but Mauritania showed resilience.

The second goal came in the 32nd minute, when Nicolás Paz stepped up in Messi’s absence to take a free kick. His left-footed strike slipped through the defensive wall and beat goalkeeper Babacar Diop, doubling Argentina’s advantage. At that stage, Argentina had already recorded 8 shots and controlled over 60% possession, but their inability to fully dominate remained evident.

Despite being ranked 115th in the FIFA rankings, Mauritania refused to back down. They created 9 chances, registered 3 shots on target, and capitalized on Argentina’s defensive lapses to pull a goal back, ensuring a tense finish. Argentina ended the match with 58% possession, 14 total shots, and 6 on target, but their 82% pass accuracy reflected a lack of fluency.

The second half saw Messi introduced alongside emerging talent Franco Mastantuono. The crowd erupted as Messi warmed up, chanting in support and unveiling banners praising “the best of the century.” He nearly made an instant impact, testing Diop with a long-range effort in the 55th minute, but the Mauritanian goalkeeper produced a solid save.

Despite the win, Argentina national football team struggled with tempo, intensity, and defensive organization issues that did not go unnoticed by Martínez. “Pretty poor! It was one of the worst games we’ve played… even for a friendly,” he said post-match. “We lacked heart, we lacked speed, we lacked intensity and defensive solidity.”

His most striking remark referenced the cancelled Finalissima: “Maybe it’s good we didn’t play it if we were going to perform like this… this was a poor game.”

With upcoming fixtures against teams like Zambia (ranked 91st) and the need to finalize the World Cup squad, Argentina faces increasing pressure to improve. While the result adds another win, Martínez’s blunt assessment highlights deeper concerns within a team expected to dominate even in friendlies.