By
Lionel Messi rounded off a night of celebration with his 800th professional goal as Argentina beat Panama 2-0 in their first match since winning the World Cup.
Messi, 35, claimed his 99th international goal from a free-kick after 89 minutes, sending the 83,000 fans at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium in Buenos Aires into raptures.
Substitute Thiago Almada had grabbed the opener 11 minutes earlier after a Messi free-kick had come back off the post.
Manager Lionel Scaloni named the same starting line-up as the World Cup final with the entire squad from Qatar posing for pictures in front of a replica trophy before kick-off.
But they were made to wait for the breakthrough as Panama goalkeeper Jose Guerra produced several saves and the defence fought valiantly to keep out the World Cup champions.
Argentina face Curacao on Tuesday to round off a week which has seen Messi widely celebrated as a hero.
Editors Pick
Roger Feutmba: Bafana Bafana could reach 2025 AFCON final
Sundowns Ladies eyeing a victory in CAF Women’s CL clash against Edo Queens
Debutants dethrone Sundowns Ladies at the CAF Women’s Champions League
PSL referees now get security on match day
Proteas aim to keep the Spar Challenge trophy at home