Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another as the Albiceleste thrashed Zambia 5-0 on Tuesday in the national side’s final game on home soil before launching the defence of their World Cup crown.
Messi, who returned to the starting line-up after Argentina's lacklustre 2-1 win over Mauritania last Friday, made an instant impact in Tuesday's friendly at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.
The 38-year-old superstar set up the opening goal for Julián Álvarez before bagging his 116th goal for Argentina with an individual strike just before half-time.
Tuesday's game marked a World Cup send-off for the reigning world champions, who will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in Group J of the finals in June, which will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Argentina will also play a friendly against Serbia in June, and are seeking to arrange another warm-up fixture before the tournament.
The friendlies against Mauretania and Zambia were organised at the last minute after Argentina’s ‘Finalissima’ clash against Spain in Doha was postponed due to the outbreak of war in the Middle East. The national side were also set to play Qatar, but that match was also cancelled.
Messi is firmly expected to captain Argentina into what will be a record sixth World Cup finals as the Albiceleste targets back-to-back titles.
The Inter Miami playmaker and ex-Barcelona once again demonstrated his enduring influence on Tuesday with a typically decisive contribution in a comfortable win.
Álvarez fired Argentina into the lead after just four minutes when Messi effortlessly controlled a lofted pass on the edge of the area and then threaded a pass into the feet of the Atlético Madrid striker to score.
Messi doubled Argentina's lead with the 902nd goal of his career two minutes before half-time, working a clever one-two with Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister before tucking a low finish past Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza.
Argentina continued to dominate, Leandro Paredes and Enzo Fernández doing a fine job in midfield, easily winning back possession and keeping the world champions in the opposition’s half.
Leo could have added to his goals tally just after half-time when Argentina were awarded a penalty following Albert Kangwanda's foul on Thiago Almada.
But rather than take the spot kick himself, Messi handed the ball to veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi, and the 38-year-old made no mistake from the spot for a 3-0 lead.
Otamendi, like Messi, is expected to step down from the national team after this year’s World Cup.
An own goal from Zambia’s Dominic Chanda in the 68th minute put Argentina 4-0 up, before rising star Valentín Barco completed the scoring in stoppage time, latching onto a pass from winger Nicolás González to make it 5-0.
It was a much improved performance from the Albiceleste, especially given the poor display in last week’s match against Mauretania. However, the standard of the opposition, once again, should be factored in – Zambia are currently 91st in FIFA’s world rankings.
"To be honest, we came away from that first match with a bit of a bitter taste in our mouths because things didn’t go as we’d hoped. Today we went in with a different mindset and showed what we’re made of. We showed that we’re in great shape. We’re leaving with a good feeling,” said centre-back Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero, one of the team’s leaders.
Coach Lionel Scaloni also expressed happiness. “The team understood the message from the other day, that we hadn’t played well. Today, the team played as they are used to doing. It was clear that the other day was a one-off, and the important thing is that it must not happen again," he noted.
– TIMES/AFP
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