Argentina defeated Guatemala 4-1 in a friendly match, courtesy to captain Lionel Messi’s outstanding performance. As a result, Argentina is well equipped for the 2024 Copa América.
Scored
Argentina: Messi (12′, 77′), Lautaro Martinez (penalty 39′, 66′)Guatemala : Lisandro Martinez (5′, own goal)
This is Argentina’s final friendly match before the 2024 Copa America, hence coach Scaloni fielded his strongest squad. Argentina, on the other hand, struggled to keep up and eventually succumbed.The defending champions gave Guatemala the lead in the fourth minute, allowing striker Rubin to finish easily from a free kick on the left wing, and despite Emiliano Martinez’s block, the ball accidentally hit Molina and bounced towards the goal, and Lisandro Martinez, attempting to clear the ball, sent it into his own net. Guatemala leads 1-0.
Argentina’s equaliser came in the 12th minute, when Guatemala custodian Hagen passed directly to Messi’s feet in front of an empty goal. Messi comfortably scored into the empty net when presented with the astonishing “gift”.Despite the equalising goal, Argentina’s performance remained stagnant for the majority of the first half, before dramatically accelerating near the finish.In the 38th minute, 19-year-old Inter Milan player Valentín Carboni was hauled down in the Guatemala penalty area.
Messi delivered the penalty to Lautaro, who finished accurately to give Argentina a 2-1 lead.Argentina took a leisurely approach during the second half. It wasn’t until the 66th minute that they scored again, this time Enzo Fernandez clicked the ball into the penalty area very well and Messi passed it back to Lautaro Martinez in a more favorable position to score the second goal in this match.Guatemala goalie Hagen continued to deny Argentina’s chances, but in the 77th minute, Messi scored twice after an exquisite ball from Di Maria.Messi nearly had a hat trick, but his looping attempt in the 84th minute sailed wide. However, a 4-1 victory was sufficient for the defending world champions. Argentina will play their first match in the 2024 Copa America, against Canada at 7:00 a.m. on June 21.
Argentina vs Guatemala lineup
Argentina: E.Martinez, Molina, Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Nico Gonzalez, Enzo Fernandez (Quarta 71′), Mac Allister (Paredes 62′), Lo Celso (De Paul 62′), Carboni (Di Maria 62′), Messi , Lautaro Martinez (Alvarez 67′)Guatemala: Hagen, Morales, Pinto, Samayoa, Ardon, Dominguez, Castellanos (Saravia 75′), Franco, Santis (Mejia 75′), Cardoza (Garcia 65′), Rubin (Lom 75′ )
