Without Messi, Argentina Labors to 2-0 Win over Indonesia in Friendly

Leandro Paredes (C) of Argentina vies for the ball against Marc Klok (L) of Indonesia during the football friendly match between Indonesia and Argentina in Jakarta, Indonesia, 19 June 2023. (EPA)
Leandro Paredes (C) of Argentina vies for the ball against Marc Klok (L) of Indonesia during the football friendly match between Indonesia and Argentina in Jakarta, Indonesia, 19 June 2023. (EPA)
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Without Messi, Argentina Labors to 2-0 Win over Indonesia in Friendly

Leandro Paredes (C) of Argentina vies for the ball against Marc Klok (L) of Indonesia during the football friendly match between Indonesia and Argentina in Jakarta, Indonesia, 19 June 2023. (EPA)
Leandro Paredes (C) of Argentina vies for the ball against Marc Klok (L) of Indonesia during the football friendly match between Indonesia and Argentina in Jakarta, Indonesia, 19 June 2023. (EPA)

Argentina struggled to create chances without Lionel Messi in the team as it labored to a 2-0 win over Indonesia in a friendly on Monday, with both goals coming from defensive-minded players.

Holding midfielder Leandro Paredes scored a long-range opener in the first half just as the team was growing frustrated at its inability to break down a team ranked 149th in the world. Tottenham defender Cristian Romero added the second soon after the break.

Messi, who scored in a 2-1 win over Australia in Beijing on Thursday, was allowed to return home early by coach Lionel Scaloni in order to rest. The 35-year-old Messi is expected to make his debut for Inter Miami in July after leaving Paris Saint-Germain for the MLS club earlier this month.

With Messi having told Chinese media that he may not continue playing for the national team long enough to take part in the 2026 World Cup, Argentina may soon have to get used to the idea of being without the superstar, who led the country to a third World Cup triumph in Qatar last December.

“In principle Messi is still in the national team and it is not worth talking about that topic anymore,” Scaloni said. “We would like him to play forever but at some point he will leave and it will be a very sad day for everyone.”

Argentina still dominated possession in its first ever game against Indonesia but struggled to break down the host, which was roared on by more than 60,000 fans — including the country's president, Joko Widodo.

After sustained pressure, missed chances and determined defending, it took a goal worthy of Messi himself to break the deadlock.

With seven minutes remaining of the first half, Paredes picked up possession more than 30 yards from goal and unleashed a powerful shot that gave goalkeeper Ernando Ari no chance.

Indonesia almost drew level early in the second half with its best chance as a header from Ipswich defender Elkan Baggott was heading for the top corner before it was tipped over by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Romero then doubled Argentina’s lead after 54 minutes by heading in a corner for his second goal for his country.



Arsenal Closes the Gap on Liverpool after 1-0 Win against Chelsea in Premier League

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
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Arsenal Closes the Gap on Liverpool after 1-0 Win against Chelsea in Premier League

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)

Mikel Merino led Arsenal to a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Merino's first-half header settled the London derby at the Emirates Stadium and saw second-placed Arsenal move within 12 points of leader Liverpool.

In another all-London clash, Fulham beat Tottenham 2-0.

Arsenal's title hopes have faded in recent weeks, but it closed the gap on Liverpool, which was playing Newcastle in the English League Cup final later in the day.

Merino rose in the 20th minute to flick Martin Odegaard's near post corner beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. It was enough to secure a first league win for Mikel Arteta's team since February 15.

Defeat for fourth-placed Chelsea means it missed the chance to extend its one-point lead over Manchester City in fifth and boost its chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Arsenal, on 58 points, is 10 clear of four time defending champion City.

Spurs blow

Another setback for Tottenham is likely to increase the pressure on coach Ange Postecoglou heading into the international break.

Spurs, in 14th, have only won one of their last five in all competitions and this was a 15th league defeat of the season.

Rodrigo Muniz gave Fulham the lead in the 78th at Craven Cottage and Ryan Sessegnon doubled the home team's lead 10 minutes later.

Fulham is eighth and four points behind Chelsea in the race for a Champions League place.