ARG vs AUS Highlights: Argentina registered a comfortable 2-0 win over Australia in international friendly in Beijing, China. Lionel Messi gave Argentina an early lead against Australia after scoring inside opening 2 minutes. However, Australia created couple of chances to get an equaliser but were denied. The second half was dominated by the La Albiceleste as substitute Pezella doubled the lead in 67th minute with a brilliant header.
Fans immediately got their money’s worth when Argentina won the ball in Australia’s half in the second minute and Enzo Fernandez found Messi, who sidestepped two defenders before beating the keeper with a curling shot from outside the box.
Also read: Argentina vs Australia: Albicelestes LOOK for win against Socceroos with HALF-team strength
Messi, who last week confirmed he wanted to move to American side Inter Miami, has now scored in seven straight games for Argentina and the country’s talisman has shown no signs of slowing down ahead of his 36th birthday next week.
A sea of blue-and-white had greeted the teams as they stepped out onto the pitch with an overwhelming majority of the 68,000 capacity crowd sporting Argentina jerseys.
“I can’t see any yellow shirts anywhere,” Australia coach Graham Arnold said before the match. “I just really hope Lionel Messi gets a little percentage of the shirt sales because I’ve never seen so many Argentine number 10 shirts in my life!”
Argentina doubled their lead in the second half when Rodrigo De Paul floated in an enticing cross into the box and substitute German Pezzella found space between two defenders to fire home a free header.
Also read: Argentina vs Australia: Socceroos look to take REVENGE against Albicelstes
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*Inputs from Reuters
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