Messi, Martinez give Argentina 4-1 win over Guatemala

Messi, Martinez give Argentina 4-1 win over Guatemala

Lionel Scaloni's side kick off their Group A campaign against Canada on Thursday.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi controls the ball during the international friendly against Guatemala. (AP pic)
LANDOVER:
Doubles from Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez earned Argentina a 4-1 victory against Guatemala in their final Copa America warm-up on Friday.

Guatemala grabbed an early lead with their first-ever strike against the World Cup winners courtesy of Lisandro Martinez’s own goal following a set-piece situation just four minutes into the game.

Lionel Messi equalised eight minutes later as keeper Nicholas Hagen cleared the ball straight into the path of the Argentine captain, who scored into an empty net.

Lautaro Martinez, this season’s Serie A top scorer, put Argentina ahead with a penalty kick in the 39th minute before netting his second from a Messi pass after the break.

The 36-year-old Messi got his double in the 77th minute after a superb pass from substitute Angel Di Maria to seal the win for the Copa America reigning champions.

The Copa America runs from June 20 to July 14 in the US. Lionel Scaloni’s side kick off their Group A campaign against Canada on Thursday before facing Chile on June 25 and Peru four days later.

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