Mac Allister and Martínez braces power Albiceleste win over Puerto Rico

Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martínez each scored two goals and Argentina routed Puerto Rico 6-0 in an international football friendly on Tuesday.

Argentine legend Lionel Messi assisted on two goals and played the entire game in a match moved from Chicago to the home pitch of his MLS Inter Miami squad.

Mac Allister, a midfielder for reigning English Premier League champions Liverpool, opened the scoring on a header in the 14th minute.

Messi set up the second goal for the Albiceleste with a through ball to Gonzalo Montiel, who fired in a shot to the bottom left corner in the 23rd minute.

Mac Allister scored again in the 36th minute to give Argentina a 3-0 lead at half-time.

Puerto Rico's Steven Echevarria scored an own goal in the 64th minute to give Argentina a 4-0 edge.

Martínez, who entered in the 63rd minute, scored in the 79th and 84th minutes – the latter off a Messi assist – to give the national side a six-goal lead.

The match was moved over low ticket sales, according to organisers.

Argentina was coming off a 1-0 victory over Colombia last Friday, the same day Puerto Rico beat St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2-1.

– TIMES/AFP