Argentina began life without Lionel Messi with a defeat on Friday, losing 2-1 to Uruguay in an international friendly at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.

It was the first match for La Albiceleste since the 39-year-old’s international retirement in early October.

The first half ended goalless, but Uruguay struck early after the restart. Leonardo Balerdi turned the ball into his own net in the 48th minute after a Argentine clearance deflected off him.

Five minutes later, Maximiliano Araújo doubled the visitors’ lead, giving new coach Diego Forlán a flying start to his tenure.

Argentina responded in the 73rd minute. Gianluca Prestianni beat his marker down the left and pulled the ball back for Julián Álvarez, who finished first time to make it 2-1. The hosts pushed for an equaliser deep into stoppage time but could not break down a stubborn Uruguayan defence.

The occasion carried extra weight as the first fixture of a new chapter for the national team under Lionel Scaloni, who extended his contract through 2030 earlier this week.

The stadium fell short of a sellout, which is rare for an Argentina home match, and while many fans in the stands wore shirts with Messi’s iconic No. 10, Scaloni left the number unassigned for the game. The coach said he has not picked a successor and, since it is not mandatory, prefers to leave the jersey vacant for now.

On the pitch, Argentina held on to their usual patient possession but lacked the incisive spark Messi so often provided in the final third. Neither Nicolás Paz nor Thiago Almada managed to fill that gap. Scaloni admitted after the game that Uruguay were difficult opponents and pointed to the team’s adjustment to life without its captain.

Argentina will look to recover against Costa Rica in Córdoba on Tuesday, while Uruguay return home to host the Dominican Republic on the same day.