What happened
Nico Paz scored within a minute of entering as a substitute for Rodrigo de Paul, giving Argentina a win over Benin and ending the night with 4 goals in 14 senior caps.
Why it matters
Argentina's midfield rotation just got a long-term option in a young playmaker Scaloni has already started twice, while Messi's assist tally became the headline stat of the farewell window.
Remember this
Messi hits 70 assists; Paz steals the show on his way to goal three in a row.
More context & who is affected
Nico Paz came off the bench and scored in under a minute, extending his run to three straight Argentina goals and his fourth total in 14 senior caps. Lionel Messi assisted the finish to reach 70 assists for his country, on what the papers billed as his farewell night.
Scaloni has started Paz in both post-World Cup friendlies, signalling that La Albiceleste's midfield rotation has another long-term option. He came on for Rodrigo de Paul wearing number 18 and got his on the very first touch of meaningful action.
Argentina beat Benin at the Monumental as fans celebrated Messi's curtain call. On X, one user summed up the moment with "Qué golazo de Nico Paz y es otra asistencia de Messi."
- Paz goal streak
- 3 in a row Goals vs Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin in consecutive Argentina matches.Vermouth DeportivoOlé
- Messi Argentina assists
- 70 Reached 70 career assists for Argentina with a pass to Nico Paz vs Benin.Vermouth Deportivo
- Paz total senior goals
- 4 Four goals in 14 senior appearances for Argentina.OléVermouth Deportivo
Why this window keeps drawing headlines
Messi's farewell tour has turned every Argentina fixture into an event, but this one put the spotlight on Nico Paz. A young midfielder, he has started two post-World Cup friendlies under Scaloni and now carries a four-goal senior record that already reads like a long-term midfield option.
Sports Fans · General Public
Messi's farewell window has turned every Argentina fixture into a headline event for fans worldwide, including Indian fans who follow him through highlights.
Sports Fans
A consistent bench goal scorer gives Argentina's midfield planning another long-term name after the World Cup.
Reporting fromVermouth Deportivo ↗Olé ↗
Sources & verification2 sources · 4 claims
These are the records behind this briefing. Linked reporting is not the same as independent confirmation.
- Vermouth DeportivoReporting
Nico Paz marcó su tercer gol consecutivo con Argentina y Messi llegó a 70 asistencias ↗
Published Oct 7, 2026 · Accessed Oct 7, 2026 - OléReporting
Video: a lo Messi, el golazo de Nico Paz en la despedida de Leo ↗
Published Oct 7, 2026 · Accessed Oct 7, 2026
Claims and linked sources
Nico Paz scored in his third straight Argentina match, adding to his tally against Benin at the Monumental.
The goal was Paz's fourth overall for Argentina across 14 senior appearances, following scores against Mauritania, Bolivia and Burkina Faso.
Lionel Messi reached 70 assists for Argentina with a pass to Paz, on what the papers framed as his farewell night.
Paz came off the bench for Rodrigo de Paul wearing number 18, and scored within a minute of entering the pitch.
Community reactions
Community signals
Signal-only · not reporting“Qué golazo de Nico Paz y es otra asistencia de Messi”
