Argentina vs Panama live score, updates, highlights from post-World ...

2022 World Cup winners Argentina, led by hero Lionel Messi, will take the field for the first time since hoisting the most coveted trophy in all of football as they welcome Panama to Buenos Aires.

The friendly will allow fans at the Estadio Monumental to pay their respects to the team after the Albiceleste secured the nation's third World Cup title in history, and first since the legendary Diego Maradona played for the side. Messi has now reached the same storied heights as Maradona, and has been treated like a king since winning the penalty shootout over France in Qatar.

Messi was called up for this first Argentina match after the World Cup, as was Angel Di Maria, who was considering international retirement ahead of the World Cup but now continues as part of the Albiceleste team.

The squad reconvenes for this friendly against Central American foes Panama, who fell just short of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.

The Sporting News will be following the Argentina vs. Panama match live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Argentina vs Panama live score   1H 2H Score Argentina 0 2 – Panama 0 0 –

Goals:
ARG - Thiago Almada - 79th min.
ARG - Lionel Messi - 89th min.

Lineups:

Argentina (4-3-3, right to left): 23-E. Martinez (GK) — 26-Molina, 13-Romero, 19-Otamendi (25-Li. Martinez, 46'), 3-Tagliafico (8-Acuna, 66') — 20-Mac Allister (16-Almada, 46'), 24-E. Fernandez (5-Paredes, 61'), 7-De Paul — 10-Messi, 9-J. Alvarez (22-La. Martinez, 46'), 11-Di Maria (21-Dybala, 61').

Panama (5-4-1, right to left): 12-Guerra (GK) — 2-I. Anderson, 13-Ramos, 4-Farina (14-Hernandez, 65'), 5-Peralta, 3-Galvan (16-Casazola, 70') — 19-Cordoba (20-Browne, 46'), 6-Gudino (8-Moran, 65'), 11-Murillo (10-Camargo, 77'), 17-'Cliquiti' Quintero (18-Medina, 46') — 9-Stephens

Argentina vs Panama live updates, highlights, commentary

89th min.: Goal Argentina! Messi gets No. 800! It's another free kick attempt and this time he gets it into the top right corner.

¡EL SEGUNDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DE #ARGENTINA, LO HIZO LIONEL ANDRÉS MESSI CUCCITTINI!???????????????? pic.twitter.com/glVcaTdzm4

— Argentina Gol  (@BocaJrsGol) March 24, 2023

79th min.: Goal Argentina! It's the sub Thiago Almada who scores it and he gets his first in an Argentina jersey! Lionel Messi's free kick strikes another off the post and after Leandro Paredes whiffs, Almada puts it home from a tight angle.

el gol de Thiago Almada con repeticiones ????????????????https://t.co/GIoJPlfJ5N pic.twitter.com/9MZ2Ank6To

— Argentina Gol  (@BocaJrsGol) March 24, 2023

Otra vez Messi la clava en el ángulo y Thiago Almada define. Primer GOL de Argentina como CAMPEON DEL MUNDO. pic.twitter.com/xmwuodSE16

— Nik (@Nikgaturro) March 24, 2023

77th min.: SUB Panama. It turns out the visitors had one more with Camargo coming on for Murillo. And the Argentines are getting antsy and are pushing Murillo off the field. It would be embarrassing for this to end 0-0.

73rd min.: Argentina penalty? Paulo Dybala went down in the box, but the Uruguayan referee Christian Ferreyra doesn't point to the spot. There was nothing illegal about that play. Good and courageous call from the referee.

OTRO PENALAZOhttps://t.co/PejbN5Xuqc pic.twitter.com/uGUAuzpIPS

— Argentina Gol  (@BocaJrsGol) March 24, 2023

67th min.: SUBS. Both teams have exhausted all six subs with 20 minutes remaining. It'll give the teams time to build up some rhythm, because it's been a choppy second half. 

62nd min.: YELLOW card Panama. This time it's centre-back Edgardo Farina for a foul on Lautaro Martinez outside the box. Another free kick for Argentina but nothing comes of it.

61st min.: SUBS Argentina. Two more subs for the Albiceleste with Paulo Dybala (for Di Maria) and Leandro Paredes in midfield (for Enzo Fernandez). The world champs haven't gotten a spark from any of the subs so far.

A reminder there are only six clubs per side in this match.

59th min.: It's the Jose Guerra show to start the second half. He dives to stop a curling Angel Di Maria effort. And that's Di Maria's last attempt as he's about to come off.

remate potente de Ángel Di María atajado por Guerra pic.twitter.com/pYRN59EQLf

— Argentina Gol (@BocaJrsGolArg) March 24, 2023

57th min.: Panama goalkeeper Jose Guerra stops Messi again! It's a third free kick from a central location and Messi gets it on goal but Guerra tips over the bar.

52nd min.: Chance Argentina! On a Lionel Messi free kick Jose Guerra parries it away. That was an easier save than he made it look.

— Deportes RPC (@deportes_rpc) March 24, 2023

46th min.: SUBS. Fresh faces for Argentina. Lautaro Martinez (for Julian Alvarez), Lisandro Martinez in the back (for Nicolas Otamendi) and Thiago Almada as predicted (for Alexis Mac Allister).

VAMOS LICHA pic.twitter.com/E2X6ABILlD

— Federico González (@federix12) March 24, 2023

For Panama, it's Omar Browne (for Cristian Quintero) and Victor Medina (for Ronaldo Cordoba) in the match.

Halftime: Argentina 0-0 Panama

Halftime: So much for a tennis score! Against a second team from Panama, the World Cup champions can't find a breakthrough. The young Panamanians are playing without intimidation and plenty of personality.

The wild two-footed tackle on Lionel Messi set the tone for the visitors early in the match. And that play also resulted in the first of two great looks Argentina had, as Lionel Messi struck the post on the free kick. Enzo Fernandez had the other solid chance as the half came to a close.

How has Panama kept Argentina at bay? Keeping players in front of them and effectively intercepting and clearing crosses. This game is calling out for an Argentina player who can dribble and beat players 1-on-1 ... Lionel Messi can't do it the way he used to. Thiago Almada at some point would make a lot of sense.

44th min.: Panama goalkeeper Jose Guerra has to parry away a shot from outside the area by Argentina's Enzo Fernandez. It goes out for a corner, but nothing comes of it.

— Deportes RPC (@deportes_rpc) March 24, 2023

bombazo desde afuera del area de Enzo Fernández que saco al córner el arquero de Panamá ???? pic.twitter.com/9TlTXpuvjn

— Argentina Gol  (@BocaJrsGol) March 24, 2023

37th min.: Chance Argentina! Rodrigo De Paul is on fire. He threads another ball, this time to Messi, but there's Panama centre-back Richard Peralta who throws his body at Messi's shot in the box and defuses the threat.

el pase de De Paul ???????????? pic.twitter.com/Sg8KqnbiSS

— Argentina Gol  (@BocaJrsGol) March 24, 2023

32nd min.: Argentina are looking for low, driven crosses into the area, but they're not finding feet so far. Right-back Nahuel Molina tries another, but Panama 'keeper Jose Guerra is ready for it.

24th min.: Chance Argentina! Rodrigo De Paul with a through ball to Alexis Mac Allister who nearly pokes the ball past the goalkeeper, who makes the stop.

casi gol de Alexis pic.twitter.com/u1JD15XvG7

— Argentina Gol (@BocaJrsGolArg) March 24, 2023

De Paul is on the ball a lot so far. Di Maria now moved to the right, and Alexis Mac Allister is occupying the left flank in what looks more like a 4-4-2 for Argentina.

18th min.: Chance Argentina! Messi gets up and takes the ensuing free kick and slams it off the right post.

Era un golazo de Messi. ????pic.twitter.com/vffZJzgxOU

— Ale Liparoti ????????⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@AleLiparoti) March 23, 2023

Mira donde entraba esa pelota. ???? pic.twitter.com/B8fSJFCzzy

— Ale Liparoti ????????⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@AleLiparoti) March 23, 2023

16th min.: YELLOW card Panama. It's left-back Kevin Galvan who gets it for a two-footed lunge on Lionel Messi that could've been a red card.

amonestado Kevin Galván en Panama por una fuerte patada a Lionel Messi ???????????? pic.twitter.com/rGsFsLDm3G

— Argentina Gol  (@BocaJrsGol) March 23, 2023

???????? EL PATADÓN QUE LE PEGARON A LIONEL. pic.twitter.com/L3NuS2fHS5

— dataref (@dataref_ar) March 23, 2023

15th min.: How is it still 0-0? Panama are defending well with numbers behind the ball. And they're also throwing their bodies at shots ... like this.

buena jugada argentina pero la defensa Panameña contuvo de buena forma pic.twitter.com/g2HPDpMUSx

— Argentina Gol (@BocaJrsGolArg) March 23, 2023

10th min.: Angel Di Maria is operating on the left side, Lionel Messi is right behind Julian Alvarez. Right-back Nahuel Molina is basically acting as a right winger so far.

Speaking of Messi, they've spotted three stars on his adidas boots, too.

LAS TRES ESTRELLAS, EN EL BOTÍN ZURDO DE MESSI. pic.twitter.com/HsGMXuuBz8

— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) March 23, 2023

8th min.: Panama with a response! They earn a corner through Cristian Quintero on the left wing. And then on the other end of the field, right-back Ivan Anderson goes on a slalom through four Argentina players. Los Canaleros with some personality on the big stage.

3rd min.: Only three minutes have gone by and Argentina have already had a corner, forced a clearance, and gotten a shot on goal through Lionel Messi. We could get a tennis score here.

remate de Messi que atrapa Guerra pic.twitter.com/Aclie9zFxg

— Argentina Gol (@BocaJrsGolArg) March 23, 2023

1st min.: We're off. It'll be interesting to see how Argentina come out after all that emotion to start the match.

2 mins to kickoff: The tear rolling down Dibu Martinez's face during the anthem was REAL. The subs are lined up with their kids for the anthem. That's going to be a long handshake line for Panama.

pic.twitter.com/0FQP6PZEXk

— BD Albiceleste ???????????????????? (@bd_albiceleste) March 23, 2023

NOS TRAJERON LA TERCERA. GRACIAS ETERNAS. ❤️???????? pic.twitter.com/oqFBmorhkb

— Ale Liparoti ????????⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@AleLiparoti) March 23, 2023

5 mins to kickoff: Lionel Messi, Dibu Martinez, and Lionel Scaloni are in tears after the crowd serenades the world champions.

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 23, 2023 — doble amarilla ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@okdobleamarilla) March 23, 2023 — Planeta do Futebol ???? (@futebol_info) March 23, 2023

15 mins to kickoff: The players are back inside the dressing rooms. Warmups are over. The next time we'll see them, they'll be wearing their three stars and getting ready for an anthem that no one is sure to forget.

23 mins to kickoff: The Argentina lineup announcement in-stadium wasn't your run-of-the-mill reading of names.

¡así sale el campeón del mundo para enfrentar a Panamá! pic.twitter.com/tvlUiGx85u

— Argentina Gol (@BocaJrsGolArg) March 23, 2023

30 mins to kickoff: Dibu Martinez playing to the crowd with some of his dance moves made famous after penalty shootouts.

— Tomiconcina ????️ (@Tomiconcina1) March 23, 2023

And here was Dibu on his entry for warmups, pointing at the three stars.

La entrada del Dibu Martínez mostrando el escudo con las tres estrellas. ????????♥️pic.twitter.com/MKtMTIQsNW

— TR SPORTS ®️ (@TrSports13) March 23, 2023

40 mins to kickoff: While the players are warming up, the players' families are getting a moment in front of the crowd, as well.

Family of the players are also living the moment of their lives! How beautiful!!????????pic.twitter.com/knx8aC37y3

— BD Albiceleste ???????????????????? (@bd_albiceleste) March 23, 2023

55 mins to kickoff: In case you were wondering, here's the jersey that the world champions will be wearing with the FIFA World Cup champion patch and the third star above the badge.

???????? pic.twitter.com/wFENPpm5AR

— All About Argentina ???????????? (@AlbicelesteTalk) March 23, 2023

55 mins to kickoff: It wouldn't be a World Cup celebration without the "Muchachos" song led by the man who came up with the lyrics himself.

MUCHAAAAACHOOOOS! Via @TyCSports. ????????pic.twitter.com/jbVZ8RWivF

— Mundo Albiceleste ⭐????⭐???????? (@MundoAlbicelest) March 23, 2023 — DSports (@DSports) March 23, 2023

¡Qué grande sos, @fnromero! El autor de la letra que cantamos todos los argentinos tuvo su momento especial en el Mâs Monumental. #VamosArgentina ???????????? pic.twitter.com/e5O5GoO2pA

— Liga Profesional de Fútbol (@LigaAFA) March 23, 2023

60 mins to kickoff: We have Argentina's starting lineup and it's the exact same one that took the field for the World Cup final. It was only right.

— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) March 23, 2023 — Deportes RPC (@deportes_rpc) March 23, 2023

70 mins to kickoff: A jam-packed Monumental is a real sight. The match is still over an hour away.

Así se encuentra el ????️ Estadio Monumental a poco más de una hora del comienzo del partido pic.twitter.com/0btDLysRzv

— Falso Nueve ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@falsonueve_f9) March 23, 2023

75 mins to kickoff: It's a real show at the Monumental today with musical acts preceding the Argentina vs. Panama celebratory match. This is a glimpse at the crowd taking in La T y La M.

— Falso Nueve ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@falsonueve_f9) March 23, 2023

Also, apparently for two years running, Argentina stars Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul have a joint superstition in which they walk to the center circle for EVERY GAME and both eat a candy.

La cábala de los caramelos entre @rodridepaul y @LParedss, interminable. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/kyJFu7qZ4M

— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) March 23, 2023

120 mins to kickoff: Lionel Messi has accomplished nearly everything there is to do in his football career, adding the coveted World Cup title to his extensive trophy case.

Yet he can still make history tonight. He is just one goal shy of the 800 career goals mark for club and country, while he sits two international goals from the century mark with Argentina. He continues to shatter expectations and defy the doubters at 35 years old!

— AS USA (@US_diarioas) March 23, 2023 Argentina vs Panama lineups, team news

Many expected manager Lionel Scaloni to start with a lineup that started against France and he did just that. Still, it will be interesting to see if in-form youngster Thiago Almada is given playing time at some point, as he continues to score goals and create chances in bunches for Atlanta United in Major League Soccer.

Argentina starting lineup(4-3-3): Emiliano 'Dibu' Martinez (GK) — Nahuel Molina, Cristiano Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico — Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul — Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Angel Di Maria.

Argentina subs (12): 1-Franco Armani (GK), 12-Geronimo Rulli (GK), 2-Juan Foyth, 4-Gonzalo Montiel, 5-Leandro Paredes, 6-German Pezzella, 8-Marcos Acuna, 14-Exequiel Palacios, 15-Angel Correa, 16-Thiago Almada, 17-Giovani Lo Celso, 18-Guido Rodriguez, 21-Paulo Dybala, 22-Lautaro Martinez, 25-Lisandro Martinez

Panama last took the field in mid-March for a friendly against Guatemala that took place outside an official FIFA international window. Carlos Harvey scored the Panamanians' only goal in a 1-1 draw at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. But this Panamanian squad will be a second team managed by assistant coach Jorge Dely Valdes.

Panama starting lineup (4-3-1-2): 12-Jose Guerra (GK) — 2-Ivan Anderson, 13-Jiovany Ramos, 4-Edgardo Farina, 5-Richard Peralta, 3-Kevin Galvan — 19-Ronaldo Cordoba, 6-Irving Gudino, 11-Jose Murillo, 17-Cristian 'Cliquiti' Quintero — 9-Alfredo Stephens,

Panama subs (12): 1-Emerson Dimas, 7-Jorge Serrano, 8-Martin Moran, 10-Miguel Camargo, 14-Gilberto Hernandez, 15-Ricardo Avila, 16-Michael Casazola, 18-Victor Medina, 20-Omar Browne

How to watch Argentina vs Panama Date: Thursday, March 23 Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 p.m. GMT Streaming (USA): Fanatiz (subscription required) TV Channel (UK): BT Sport 2 Streaming (UK): BT Sport App, BTSport.com

The Argentina friendly against Panama will be broadcast in the United States exclusively on the streaming service Fanatiz, which requires a subscription.

In the United Kingdom, the game will be shown on BT Sport 2, with streaming available on their various platforms.