Argentina encountered little resistance as they cruised past Honduras at Kyle Field, securing a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Lautaro Martínez and Giuliano Simeone in a crucial tune-up match before the 2026 World Cup kicks off.
In a match entirely dominated by the Albiceleste, the reigning world champions initially found it difficult to break the deadlock against a highly disciplined and compact Honduran defense.
However, with just 10 minutes remaining in the first half, the referee pointed to the penalty spot following a foul in the area. Lautaro Martínez stepped up and confidently converted, sending Argentina into the locker room with the lead.
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The second half was a near-replica of the first, with Argentina dictating the tempo from start to finish. They struck early in the period when Giuliano Simeone capped off a fluid team passing sequence to double the lead. While the world champions created several dangerous opportunities to extend their advantage, a lack of clinical finishing kept the final scoreline at 2-0.
Following the victory in Texas, Argentina will quickly shift their focus to their final pre-tournament warm-up match against Iceland on Tuesday, June 9, at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn. It will be Lionel Scaloni’s last chance to fine-tune his squad before they officially begin their World Cup title defense against Algeria on June 16.
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Argenina secured a victory in their first pre-World Cup friendly and you lived every moment with World Soccer Talk!
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End of the game!
Argentina defeated Honduras 2-0 at Kyle Field!
90’+1- Yellow card in Argentina (2-0)
Nicolas Calpado received a yellow card.
89′- Nice try from Aranda! (2-0)
Tomás Aranda unleashes a rocket from outside the box, but Menjívar showcases brilliant reflexes, tipping it wide for an Argentina corner.
85′- Modification in Argentina (2-0)
Nicolas Otamendi was replaced by Joaquin Freitas.
80′- Modifications in Argentina (2-0)
Juan Musso, Exequiel Palacios and Giuliano Simeone were replaced by Santiago Beltran, Tomas Aranda and Nicolas Capaldo.
77′- Modifications in Honduras (2-0)
Giancarlo Sacaz and Joseph Rosales were replaced by Cristian Canales and Luis Vega.
71′- Yellow card in Argentina (2-0)
Facundo Medina received a yellow card.
66′- Fans want Messi on the field (2-0)
The crowd at Kyle Field is making their voices heard, loudly chanting for Lionel Messi. It remains to be seen if Scaloni will cave to the fans’ demands and hand his captain a few minutes on the pitch.
61′- Modifications in both teams (2-0)
Argentina: Thiago Almada, Lautaro Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso and Lisandro Martinez were replaced by Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Jose Manuel Lopez.
Honduras: Edwin Rodriguez was replaced by Kevin Guiti.
54′- GOOOOAAAL FOR ARGENTINA!! (2-0)
Giuliano Simeone extends the lead!!
52′- Yellow card in Honduras (1-0)
Denil Maldonado received a yellow card.
50′- What a miss by Almada (1-0)
Thiago Almada finds himself with plenty of space to net the second goal, but he gets under the ball and lofts his strike well over the crossbar.
49′- Yellow card in Argentina (1-0)
Lisandro Martinez received a yellow card.
48′- Modification in Honduras (1-0)
Jorge Benguche was replaced by Keyrol Figueroa.
46′- Modifications in Argentina (1-0)
Valentin Barco and Nicolas Tagliafico were replaced by Rodrigo De Paul and Facundo Medina.
The second half is underway!
Argentina and Honduras are already playing the second half!
Halftime!
The game goes to halftime!
45’+2- Lisandro Martinez almost scores! (1-0)
Lisandro Martínez connects with a spectacular overhead kick that sails agonizingly over the crossbar.
45′- Stoppage time (1-0)
The referee added four more minutes.
41′- Lautaro with another chance! (1-0)
Following a brilliant assist, Martínez bursts into the box, but in his attempt to round Menjívar, the Honduran goalkeeper smothers the ball perfectly to end the threat.
36′- GOOOAAAL FOR ARGENTINA!! (1-0)
Lautaro Martinez scores the opener of the game from the penalty spot!
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34′- Penalty for Argentina!
The referee awarded a penalty for Argentina after a foul on Nicolas Tagliafico.
31′- Yellow card in Argentina (0-0)
Valentin Barco received the first yellow card of the game.
28′- Argentina can’t break Honduras’ defense (0-0)
Argentina are struggling to break down a resilient Honduran defense. However, the Central American side is giving the ball away far too quickly, allowing Argentina to immediately regain possession.
23′- Cooling break (0-0)
The match is paused due to a cooling break.
18′- First try from Honduras (0-0)
Rodríguez unleashes a powerful strike from outside the box, but it sails harmlessly over Musso’s crossbar.
17′- Total domination from Argentina (0-0)
Argentina are commanding 80% of the possession and continue to search for the opening goal. They’ve already registered two shots on target, while Honduras has yet to test Juan Musso.
12- Another opportunity for Argentina! (0-0)
After a great cross from Simeone, Lautaro Martinez connects with a strong header, but it goes right to where Menjívar is positioned for an easy catch.
7′- Nice try from Simeone! (0-0)
Giuliano Simeone unleashes a powerful strike from outside the box, but Menjívar makes a brilliant save to deny him and keep the match scoreless.
5′- Argentina dominate at the start (0-0)
The match opens exactly as expected: Argentina are dominating possession and knocking the ball around, while Honduras sit deep in their own half, waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.
GAME ON!
The game between Argentina and Honduras is underway!
Players are on the pitch!
Players from both teams are on the field. Everything is ready for the start of the match!
Argentina lineup confirmed!
Argentina’s confirmed starting lineup: Juan Musso; Agustin Giay, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Giuliano Simeone, Exequiel Palacios, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso; Lautaro Martinez, Thiago Almada.
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Honduras lineup confirmed!
Honduras’ starting XI: Menjívar; Meléndez, Maldonado, Sacaza, Rosales; Arriaga, Rodríguez; Rivas, Moncada, Palma; Benguché.
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Both teams doing warm up activities
Players for both sides have taken the field for warmups at Kyle Field!
Argentina without ‘Dibu’ Martinez
Aside of Messi, Argentina won’t be with goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez as he continues to recover from a fractured ring finger on his right hand. Despite the injury, the Aston Villa star has no risk of missing the 2026 World Cup opener against Algeria on June 16.
Why is Lionel Messi not starting?
Lionel Messi will not start against Honduras at Kyle Field as he is currently recovering from muscle overload caused by lingering fatigue, and the coaching staff refuses to take risks with their captain.
Kickoff time and where to watch
Argentina vs Honduras will get underway at Kyle Field at 8:00 PM (ET).
Fubo, DirecTV Stream and ESPN Deportes the options to watch Argentina vs Honduras in the USA.
Argentina and Honduras clash in pre-World Cup friendly
Welcome to World Soccer Talk’s live blog! Argentina and Honduras clash at Kyle Field for a pre-World Cup friendly.
Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!
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