Argentina didn’t miss a beat without captain Lionel Messi on Friday as the world champions prepared for their Copa America title defense with a 3-0 friendly win over El Salvador in Philadelphia.
Defender Cristian Romero kicked off the scoring in the 16th minute, followed by Enzo Fernández in the 42nd and Giovani Lo Celso in the 52nd, sealing the victory at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.
Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who is currently with Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, was sidelined from Friday’s match and Argentina’s upcoming friendly against Costa Rica in Los Angeles next week after tweaking a hamstring during Miami’s 3-1 win over Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup earlier this month.
Despite the chilly conditions in Philadelphia, Argentina comfortably secured their first friendly win of the year against a team that has now gone 21 matches without a victory.
Romero was the first to break the deadlock against the team led by Spain’s David Doniga, heading home a corner kick delivered by Angel Di Maria.
Minutes before halftime, Di Maria received the ball on the right flank and assisted Rodrigo de Paul, whose pass was headed by Lo Celso to Fernández, who converted from close range.
In the second half, Lo Celso capitalized on another impressive combination between Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez, slotting home a left-footed shot.
The match provided Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni with an opportunity to give playing time to youngsters Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Barco — the 19-year-old left-back signed by Brighton in January, who notably stood out for the U-23 team during Paris Olympics qualifying.