World champions Argentina swept aside a makeshift Burkina Faso side 7-0 in Buenos Aires after the visitors endured a chaotic journey and arrived hours before kick-off.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina cruised to a 7-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Monumental after the West African side arrived in Buenos Aires just hours before kick-off following major travel disruptions.

The world champions raced into a 3-0 lead inside the opening 12 minutes, with Lautaro Martínez scoring from the rebound after his penalty was saved.

An own goal from Moumouni Diallo doubled Argentina’s advantage before Gianluca Prestianni added a third.

Nico Paz and Julián Álvarez struck before half-time to send Lionel Scaloni’s side into the break with a commanding five-goal lead.

Argentina complete seven-goal rout

Argentina remained firmly in control after the restart despite Scaloni making extensive changes to his side.

Franco Mastantuono added Argentina’s sixth before Giuliano Simeone completed the 7-0 rout.

The emphatic result came after a difficult build-up for Burkina Faso, whose preparations were disrupted by travel problems in Morocco.

Burkina Faso arrive hours before Argentina match

A technical problem forced the cancellation of Burkina Faso’s scheduled flight from Casablanca, according to match organizer Jairo Pachón.

Several senior players subsequently declined to make the trip because of accumulated fatigue, leaving the Burkina Faso Football Federation to assemble a largely under-23 squad at short notice.

The replacement delegation then endured a journey of nearly 12 hours before arriving in Buenos Aires just over five hours before kick-off.

Argentina’s victory came ahead of Lionel Messi’s planned farewell appearance against Benin at the Monumental on Tuesday.

The match is set to bring an end to Messi’s 21-year international career with Argentina.