Lionel Messi shines in what could be his last Argentina home game, a 5-0 farewell friendly win

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — In what was likely his final home appearance for Argentina's national squad, Lionel Messi scored a goal and provided an assist in a 5-0 rout of Zambia on Tuesday night in a farewell friendly ahead of the World Cup.

The 38-year-old Messi set up Julián Álvarez in the fourth minute and then scored in the 43rd at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, his 116th international goal in 198 appearances for Argentina.

The crowd gave him a standing ovation and pleaded with him to help Argentina win another World Cup. The global tournament kicks off June 11 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Nicolás Otamendi and Valentín Barco also scored for Argentina.

The defending world champions raised some concern after their lackluster performance last Friday in a 2-1 victory over Mauritania.

In the lead-up to the Zambia friendly, coach Lionel Scaloni had warned that if the team didn’t improve its performance he would take drastic measures regarding the 26-man World Cup squad, which must be submitted by May 30.

For the last home game before the World Cup, Scaloni started with a lineup similar to that which defeated France in the 2022 final, with the notable exclusion of midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who is recovering from a muscle injury and performed poorly against Mauritania.

Argentina, which also won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, will open against Algeria on June 16 in Group J, followed by games against Austria on June 22 and Jordan on June 27.

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Temmates congratulate Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi after he scored his side's third goal against Zambia during a friendly soccer match in Buenos AIres, Argentina, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Argentina's Valentin Barco celebrates scoring his side's 5th goal against Zambia during a friendly soccer match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Zambia during a friendly soccer match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Zambia during a friendly soccer match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Zambia during a friendly soccer match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Skyrocketing oil and gas prices in Europe as a result of the ongoing Iran war won't return to normal levels any time soon, even if peace is declared tomorrow, the European Union's energy commissioner warned Tuesday.

Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said although there are no immediate oil and gas supply shortages in the 27-member bloc, there's pressure on diesel and jet fuel supply as well as “increasing constraints” in global gas markets that are resulting in higher electricity prices.

“What I find extremely important is to state as clearly as I can, that even if that peace is here tomorrow, still we will not go back to normal in a foreseeable future,” Jørgensen told a news conference after a meeting of EU energy ministers.

He said the EU's executive arm is preparing a string of measures designed to help families and businesses weather the huge spike in oil prices that have resulted in about a 70% price hike for gas and 60% for oil in Europe. Since the start of the war, the EU’s bill for imported fossil fuels has jumped by 14 billion euros, according to Jørgensen.

Closely coordinated action between all EU members is necessary to “avoid fragmented national responses and disruptive signals to the markets,” he said.

The “toolbox” of measures now in the works will be unveiled “quite soon” and will include ways to make it easier for states to decouple gas prices from electricity prices, the commissioner said. He added that a tax cut on electricity, as suggested by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also being weighed.

Jørgensen said although he doesn’t foresee a repeat of the 2022 natural gas crisis where companies reaped huge profits from a massive gas price hike, a one-time “windfall tax” on such companies “is a possibility.”

There are now “good opportunities” for member states to financially support vulnerable groups or industries now under “extraordinary stress” and that the Commission would make “these possibilities even simpler and wider,” said Jørgensen.

Jørgensen also encouraged EU members to consider the International Energy Agency’s 10-point plan which includes work from home, reduced highway speeds, encouraging public transport and increasing car sharing.

He said the EU stands by its ban on Russian gas purchases, which is meant to reduce dependence on Russian gas and choke off funding for Russia's war in Ukraine. Reliance on Russian gas dropped from 45% before the war to 10% now and will be reduced to zero once imports from other suppliers ramp up, especially from the U.S. The EU is looking at new energy sources from Azerbaijan, Algeria and Canada as well as smaller producers around the world.

The commissioner warned the EU should never “repeat the mistakes of the past allowing Putin to weaponize energy against us and blackmail member states.” He added that “it would be totally unacceptable” for the EU to continue buying energy that would “indirectly help finance the terrible war that Putin is conducting in Ukraine.”

A woman works at the meat counter of a super market in Wehrheim near Frankfurt, Germany, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Fuel prices are listed at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, March 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Vegetables in a super market are pictured in Wehrheim near Frankfurt, Germany, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

The sun has set behind a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)