Lionel Messi netted twice as Argentina concluded their Copa America warm-up with a dominant 4-1 victory over Guatemala in a friendly match held in Maryland on Friday.
Messi scored an early equalizer and later added Argentina’s fourth goal, helping the world champions overturn an initial deficit.
This was their final match before defending their Copa America title against Canada in Atlanta next Thursday.
Guatemala surprisingly took the lead just four minutes into the game at Commanders Field in Landover.
Oscar Santis’s free-kick from the left wing caused chaos in Argentina’s defense. The ball ricocheted across the six-yard box, ultimately leading to Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez accidentally directing it into his own net.
However, Argentina quickly responded, equalizing in the 12th minute following a catastrophic error by Guatemala’s goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen.
Under minimal pressure, Hagen misfired a clearance from a back pass directly to Messi, who was unmarked in the penalty area.
The Argentina captain capitalized on the mistake, calmly slotting in his 107th international goal.
From there, it was a matter of time before Argentina took the lead, as Guatemala sat back, absorbing pressure.
Argentina’s second goal came in the 39th minute via a penalty, awarded after defender Nicolas Samayoa brought down Valentin Carboni, who had sprinted to the byline. Messi passed on the chance to take the penalty, allowing Lautaro Martinez to step up and convert, making it 2-1.
Just before halftime, Argentina almost increased their lead. Messi’s powerful free-kick from the edge of the area struck the post, and Lautaro Martinez’s overhead kick on the rebound also hit the woodwork.
Although Lisandro Martinez managed to bundle the loose ball into the net, he was ruled offside.
The third goal came on 66 minutes, showcasing a well-executed team play. Messi found Enzo Fernandez in space at the edge of the box, who then threaded a pass back to Messi inside the penalty area.
Messi’s first touch set up Lautaro Martinez for an easy close-range finish.
Messi capped off the scoring with a brilliant goal in the 77th minute, connecting with a sublime through ball from veteran Angel Di Maria and deftly lifting it over Hagen to seal the 4-1 victory.
