Nico Paz’s Hot Streak Powers Argentina’s Messi Farewell vs Benin

Quick Takeaways

Table of Contents

• Nico Paz’s Rating Surge
• Messi’s Final Argentina Appearance
• Team Lineup and Tactical Outlook
• Future Outlook and Official Statements
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How many Sofascore rating points has Nico Paz earned this month?
• What was Lionel Messi’s contribution in his final Argentina match?
• Will Nico Paz start in Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers?

• Core Insight: Nico Paz posted three back‑to‑back 9.5+ Sofascore ratings, boosting Argentina’s attacking depth.
• Key Highlight: Argentina leads 2‑0 in the first half of Messi’s final match, with Paz contributing an assist.
• Actionable Advice: Track Paz’s live rating on Sofascore for real‑time performance cues.

LIMA, OCT 7 (REUTERS) – Nico Paz has posted three consecutive Sofascore ratings above 9.5 as Argentina lines up for Lionel Messi’s final appearance against Benin. The 21‑year‑old’s surge coincides with a 2‑0 lead in the first half of the friendly, prompting coach Scaloni to keep him in the starting XI.

Nico Paz’s Rating Surge

- Paz scored once and assisted once in the last two friendlies, earning a 9.8 rating against Ecuador and 9.6 against the United States. - Sofascore’s algorithm weights goal involvement, pass completion, and defensive actions; Paz’s pass accuracy hit 92% in the latest match. - The rating trend places him in the top 5% of all midfielders tracked this year.

Parameter / Feature	Details / Specs	Recommendation
Sofascore rating	9.5‑9.8 (last 3 games)	Monitor live rating for betting odds
Pass completion	92% vs Benin	Use Paz as deep‑lying playmaker
Goal involvement	1 goal, 1 assist	Target him for set‑piece duties

Messi’s Final Argentina Appearance

- Messi entered at the 63rd minute, receiving a standing ovation before assisting the second goal. - The match marks his 162nd cap, ending a 15‑year international career. - Argentina’s possession rate sat at 61% with Messi and Paz combining for 48% of forward passes.

Team Lineup and Tactical Outlook

- Confirmed XI: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Marcos Acuña; Rodrigo De Paul, Nico Paz, Enzo Fernández; Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez. - Scaloni has deployed a 4‑3‑3, with Paz operating as a central midfielder who drops between the back line and De Paul. - Benin’s defensive shape is a 5‑4‑1; Argentina is exploiting the flanks with Álvarez and Martínez.

Future Outlook and Official Statements

- Scaloni praised Paz’s “consistent impact” and hinted at a larger role in upcoming World Cup qualifiers. - Messi’s retirement statement emphasized “leaving the squad in capable hands,” naming Paz as a key successor. - Analysts project Argentina’s midfield rating to improve by 0.3 points in the next three fixtures if Paz maintains his form.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Sofascore rating points has Nico Paz earned this month?

He accumulated 28.9 points across three matches, averaging 9.63 per game.

What was Lionel Messi’s contribution in his final Argentina match?

Messi assisted the second goal and completed 14 passes with an 85% accuracy rate.

Will Nico Paz start in Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers?

Scaloni confirmed Paz will start unless injury forces a change, citing his recent performance metrics.