In the third minute, the 35-year-old Benfica defender, with a spectacular volley from Rodrigo de Paul's corner, gave the hosts the lead, leaving goalkeeper Carlos Coronel helpless.
Recent days have seen a series of protests against Abdo's government amid overwhelmed hospitals and shortages of vaccines and drugs for COVID-19 patients.
In 58th minute, Giovani Lo Celso pulled the ball back for captain Messi to sidefoot low into the net, but the goal was eventually disallowed by the Brazilian officials for a foul by Gonzalez at the beginning of the move