Buenos Aires gave Argentina a comfortable international-window finale at the Monumental, where a 7-0 win over Burkina Faso also offered Julián Álvarez a much-needed moment in front of goal. The Atlético de Madrid forward scored for his country for the first time since the World Cup, ending an 85-day wait since his last official Argentina strike.
A night that began early
- Argentina took control almost immediately. In the third minute, Moumouni Diallo fouled Agustín Giay in the area. Lautaro Martínez converted after goalkeeper Guira Razak had initially made a save from the penalty.
- Five minutes later, Álvarez’s effort was turned into the net by Diallo, as Argentina built an early advantage over the visitors.
- Before half-time, Álvarez found his own goal. Valentino Prestianni supplied the pass for the Atlético forward, whose finish added another landmark to an emphatic 7-0 result.
The goal mattered beyond the scoreline in Buenos Aires. Álvarez had not scored in an official match since 11 July 2026, when he struck in extra time against Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Relief for Álvarez after Atlético drought
For Atlético, the wait has been longer. His previous goal in red and white came on 18 April 2026, when he made it 2-2 against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja. That left him with a 169-day scoring drought for the Madrid club before this Argentina appearance.
He might have scored more than once against Burkina Faso, but the performance itself was an encouraging step after a difficult spell. He was not flawless in the opening exchanges, yet combined effectively with Argentina’s attacking players and took his chance at a useful moment in the match.
Confidence restored in the national setup
Argentina’s football press viewed the outing as a positive intervention for the 2026 World Cup winner. One assessment gave him a 6.5 rating, describing the friendly as the right environment to rebuild belief after some initially untidy actions.
Other coverage focused on the contrast with his recent months in Madrid, noting that Álvarez appeared visibly happier after celebrating again. Lionel Scaloni’s staff were also praised for starting him, with the suggestion that regular trust with Argentina can help the striker recover the level required under Diego Simeone at Atlético.
