Indonesia vs Argentina – Argentina’s World Cup winning season comes to a close with a triumph. The South Americans were not at their best without Lionel Messi, but they still won. Indonesia might also be proud of their performance. Los Albicelestes’ goals came from Leandro Paredes and Cristian Romero.
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The Argentine National Team ended its Asian trip with a 2-0 victory over Indonesia at the Utama Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, despite the absence of Lionel Messi’s magic on the pitch. The world champion, who also without the references ngel Di Mara and Nicolás Otamendi in this second friendly, did not suffer against an inferior opponent, and Lionel Scaloni departed with positive sensations, including Facundo Buonanotte’s impressive debut.
The visitors had the best of the early action, with Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Gonzalez both denied and Facundo Buonanotte squandering a chance after skipping around the advancing keeper. They finally made their breakthrough in the 38th minute when Paredes found space and blasted into the top corner from 30 metres.
Argentina doubled their lead 10 minutes after the break when an unmarked Romero converted with ease from a Giovani Lo Celso corner.
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There was no hiding the disappointment in Indonesia over Lionel Messi’s absence, despite his part in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Australia in Beijing on Thursday, when he netted in 79 seconds, his fastest international goal.
Dressed overwhelmingly in red and waving national flags, the fans in the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium still chanted “Messi” as the team walked on to the pitch.
Indonesia defended in numbers to try to stem the onslaught and created a few chances in the second half, testing keeper Emi Martinez with a succession of long throws into a crowded box.
But they stumbled on the attack and struggled to contain Alejandro Garnacho, one of six second-half substitutions, who almost made it three in stoppage time.
Argentina Starting XI: Martinez; Medina, Pezzella, Romero, Molina; Paredes, Palacios, Lo Celso; Gonzalez, Buonanotte, Alvarez
Indonesia Starting XI: Sutaryadi; Ramadhani, Amat, Baggott, Mangkualam; Jenner, Klok, Pattynama, Jenner; Struick, Drajad
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