Argentina Beat Honduras as Lautaro and Simeone Strike, Messi Remains on Bench Ahead of World Cup

• Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Honduras in Texas in their penultimate World Cup warm-up match.
• Lautaro Martínez scored from the penalty spot and later assisted Giuliano Simeone’s second-half goal.
• Lionel Messi remained an unused substitute as he continues recovering from muscle fatigue ahead of the tournament.

Argentina continued their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Honduras at a packed Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, although supporters were left waiting for a glimpse of Lionel Messi.

The reigning world champions controlled proceedings throughout and produced a professional display as goals from Lautaro Martínez and Giuliano Simeone secured a confidence-boosting win ahead of their final warm-up fixture before the tournament begins.

While much of the pre-match attention centred on Messi, the 38-year-old remained on the bench for the entire match as Argentina carefully managed his recovery from muscle fatigue sustained during his final appearance for Inter Miami before joining the national team camp.

Argentina eventually broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Nicolás Tagliafico was brought down inside the penalty area. Martínez stepped forward and calmly converted from the spot to give Lionel Scaloni’s side a deserved lead.

The second goal arrived shortly after the restart and showcased Argentina’s attacking quality. Martínez produced a clever backheel pass inside the box to release Atlético Madrid forward Giuliano Simeone, who finished from close range to double the advantage.

Despite making several substitutions following the second goal, Scaloni resisted the temptation to introduce Messi, prioritising the captain’s fitness with the World Cup just days away.

Speaking after the match, Martínez highlighted Argentina’s determination to defend the title they won in Qatar.

“We have to go defend what we achieved in Qatar,” Martínez said. “It’s going to be tough, but we’re going to give it everything to leave Argentina as high as possible.”

Scaloni also explained the cautious approach regarding squad management and player workloads.

“When Argentines step onto a soccer field, it’s very hard for them to hold back,” Scaloni said. “They always give everything, they hold nothing back. That’s why we manage the workloads and try to give minutes to the majority.”

Messi’s fitness remains one of the major talking points heading into the tournament. Argentina’s medical staff have indicated that his return timeline will depend on his ongoing recovery and response to treatment.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to play a key role in what many believe could be his final World Cup campaign. Messi already holds the record for the most World Cup appearances with 26 matches and needs four more goals to surpass Miroslav Klose’s all-time tournament scoring record of 16.

Argentina now face Iceland in their final friendly on June 9 before turning their attention to Group J, where they will begin their World Cup defence against Honduras on June 16, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan.

For now, the result mattered more than the spectacle. Argentina looked organised, efficient and sharp in possession. The only missing piece was Messi, but with the World Cup around the corner, Scaloni will be encouraged that his side continues to build momentum even without their talisman on the pitch.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.

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