Argentina vs Benin Prediction, October 7, 2026: Can the World Champions Avoid a Monumental Shock? 🏆

Argentina vs Benin Prediction: Match Preview

Argentina welcome Benin to the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday evening for a friendly international that, on paper, looks like the most lopsided fixture of the year. The world champions sit top of the FIFA rankings, while Benin are ranked 84th and have never qualified for a World Cup. Yet friendlies have a peculiar way of humbling the mighty, and Lionel Scaloni’s side will be without several key figures as they begin preparations for the defence of their crown. For Benin, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to measure themselves against football’s elite.

Match Information 📋

Match: Argentina vs Benin
Competition: Friendly International
Date: Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Kick-off: 00:01 BST
Venue: Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
Our Prediction: Argentina 4-0 Benin

Head-to-Head Record 📋

The sides have never met at senior level. This is uncharted territory for Benin, who have faced South American opposition only sporadically—a 0-0 draw with Bolivia in 2019 and a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador in 2017 being their most recent encounters with CONMEBOL nations. Argentina, by contrast, have won 20 of their last 22 matches against African opposition, with their only defeat coming against Cameroon in 2019.

Argentina Form 🔵

Last 5: W-W-W-W-W

Argentina’s form since lifting the World Cup in 2022 has been imperious. Scaloni’s side have won 18 of their last 20 matches, with the only blemishes being a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in World Cup qualifying and a 2-2 draw with Colombia. Their most recent outing was a 3-0 victory over Venezuela in Buenos Aires, with Julian Alvarez scoring twice. Argentina have kept clean sheets in seven of their last ten home matches.

Team News: Scaloni has named a much-changed squad for this friendly window, with several regulars rested. Lionel Messi is absent, recovering from a minor hamstring strain sustained with Inter Miami, though the captain is expected to return for the November internationals. Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, and Rodrigo De Paul are also missing. The onus falls on Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Alejandro Garnacho to lead a youthful Argentina.

Benin Form ⚪

Last 5: D-W-L-D-L

Benin’s campaign has been steady but unspectacular. The Cheetahs reached the group stage of World Cup qualifying, where they finished fourth behind Senegal, DR Congo, and Togo, winning two of their six matches. Their most recent outing was a 1-1 draw with Rwanda in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Benin have scored just five goals in their last eight matches, a concern against a defence of Argentina’s calibre.

Team News: Head coach Michel Dussuyer has named a full-strength squad, with captain Steve Mounie leading the line. Junior Olaitan of Ligue 1 side Reims provides creativity from midfield, while Cebio Soukou offers pace on the wing. The Cheetahs’ defensive organisation will be tested to its absolute limit.

Team News & Predicted Lineups 📰

Argentina Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Rulli; Molina, Balerdi, Medina, Acuna; Enzo Fernandez, Paredes, Almada; Garnacho, Alvarez, Gonzalez

With Messi, Martinez, and Romero absent, Scaloni hands opportunities to a new generation. Valentin Balerdi and Facundo Medina form a fresh centre-back pairing, while Thiago Almada pulls the strings in midfield.

Benin Predicted Lineup (4-4-2)

Dassou; Adilehou, Kiki, Hountondji, D’Almeida; Soukou, Olaitan, Sessi D’Almeida, Bessile; Mounie, Djigla

Dussuyer is expected to sit deep and frustrate, with Steve Mounie serving as the lone pressing forward. The defensive block will be compact and disciplined.

xG & Tactical Analysis 📈

The expected goals projections for this fixture are staggering. Statistical models give Argentina a 96% win probability, with Benin at less than 1%. Projected xG: Argentina 3.4, Benin 0.3. The most likely scoreline is 3-0 to Argentina (18.2%), followed by 4-0 (14.7%) and 2-0 (11.3%).

Argentina’s attacking depth, even without Messi, is overwhelming. Alvarez’s movement in the box, Garnacho’s direct running, and Almada’s creativity between the lines should carve open a Benin defence that has conceded in nine of its last ten matches. The key battle will be in midfield, where Enzo Fernandez’s passing range must unlock a deep-lying Cheetahs block.

Benin’s only hope is to frustrate Argentina early and perhaps catch them on the counter through Mounie’s hold-up play. But the gulf in class is vast, and Argentina’s patience in possession has improved markedly under Scaloni.

Betting Analysis 💰

Argentina are overwhelming favourites at 1.04, with the draw at 23.00 and Benin at 51.00. Argentina to win by 3 or more goals is priced at 1.55, offering value given Benin’s defensive record. Argentina to win to nil is available at 1.25. The correct score market favours 4-0 (7.50) and 3-0 (8.00).

Final Prediction 🏁

Argentina 4-0 Benin

This is a fixture that should be decided long before the hour mark. Argentina’s second-string XI would still be formidable enough to challenge at a World Cup, and Scaloni’s decision to rest his veteran core opens the door for hungry, talented players eager to prove themselves. Julian Alvarez, in particular, will relish the chance to lead the line without Messi’s shadow.

Benin will defend with discipline and pride, but the sheer volume of attacking waves will eventually overwhelm them. The Cheetahs’ only genuine ambition is to avoid humiliation and perhaps score a historic goal. Neither looks likely against a defence anchored by Rulli and protected by a midfield that will dominate possession.

Prediction: Argentina 4-0 Benin. Alvarez scores twice, Garnacho and Almada add the others, and Argentina cruise to a comfortable victory that showcases the depth of their squad.