Argentina put on a show at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to defeat El Salvador 3-0 in an international friendly. Cristian Romero, Enzo Fernández and Giovani Lo Celso scored the goals for Lionel Scaloni’s side.

Lionel Messi missed the match due to a hamstring injury that ruled him out of this March international window. La Albiceleste return to action Tuesday, when they play Costa Rica in Los Angeles.

Without Lionel Messi available, La Albiceleste flourished in Philadelphia against El Salvador. Their superstar and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner missed the match due to a hamstring injury he sustained at the club level for Inter Miami playing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and it was up to Lionel Scaloni to show what his squad could do without their talisman Friday.

Immediately, the pressure was on from the opening whistle, and they did not let up for 90 minutes. Argentina outclassed El Salvador nearly every second of the match, from possession in the center of the pitch to crafty build-up play in the final-third, La Albiceleste were phenomenal.

Cristian Romero put them up 1-0 early on off a booming header from an Angel Di Maria corner, with Chelsea superstar Enzo Fernandez doubling their lead before the halftime break after a scramble in the box. Shortly after the start of the halftime break, Giovani Lo Celso added a third off a Lautaro Martinez assist - putting them in cruise control for the rest of the match.

Source: BBC 

BDST: 1038 HRS, MAR 23, 2024
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