Nico Paz Scored, Mastantuono Played 45 Minutes in Argentina’s 2-1 Win Over Mauritania

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - MARCH 27: Nico Paz of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the international friendly match between Argentina and Mauritania at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on March 27, 2026 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images) | Getty Images Argentina defeated Mauritania, ranked 115th in the rankings, by 2-1 at La Bombonera, thanks to goals from Nico Paz and Enzo Fernandez in the first half.

World and South American Champions Argentina were supposed to play European Champions Spain this Friday in the Finalissima, but that game never happened. After a week-long tussle between CONMEBOL, the AFA, RFEF, and UEFA, the anticipated fixture was cancelled due to Argentina’s unwillingness to play at the Bernabeu, among other reasons. To replace Spain, Argentina could only manage to find opponents within Mauritania and Zambia in the final stretch of their World Cup preparations.

Castilla graduate and former Real Madrid player, and perhaps primed to become a Real Madrid player again as early as this summer, Nico Paz scored Argentina’s 2nd goal from a direct free kick. The ball dipped just before the goalkeeper and found the back of the net. It was a beautiful curling shot that left even Lionel Messi impressed.

Nico Paz 🥹 pic. twitter. com/K0sjCuZdPD — Managing Madrid (@managingmadrid) March 28, 2026 Real Madrid forward Franco Mastantuono replaced Atletico de Madrid’s Julian Alvarez in the second half.