It turned out what it was supposed to: beating and beating of Argentina. It happened in Miami, in the Inter stadium, in the house of Messi in the United States. It happened on Leo’s return to the albiceleste after his absence in the friendly with Venezuela. The world champion crushed the modest Puerto Ricowhich failed to qualify for the World Cup in the Concacaf Qualifiers. All with a curiosity: in Argentina’s 0-6 there were no goals from Messi, something unusual… All under the watchful eye of Daddy Yankee…
It was the first meeting in history in senior teams between Argentina and Puerto Rico. And the immense difference in hierarchy that separates them was established. At 36 minutes into the first half everything was defined: the world champion was already winning 3-0. Lionel Scaloni brought together Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Giovani Lo Celso in midfield, with Giuliano Simeone on the right, with Messi free and with the absolute debut as “9” of Flaco José Manuel López, Palmeiras’ scorer.
Lautaro scored a double against Puerto Rico
Mac Allister scored the first and third with definitions very close to the goal. In the middle, Gonzalo Montiel celebrated the second after a heavenly balloon assist from Messi. Puerto Rico worried Dibu Martínez with two shots from distance, who responded with impeccable responses. Flaco López performed naturally. He had a forced header, into the hands of the goalkeeper. And he assisted Mac Allister to make it 3-0. He didn’t have a clear opportunity. It sounds like an interesting alternative.
As he had assured, Scaloni gave minutes to the rest of the new players. Thus, in the second half, central marker Lautaro Rivero and midfielder Anibal Moreno crowned their debuts, who replaced Nicolás Otamendi and Lo Celso. They both complied. Nahuel Molina, Nicolás Paz and Lautaro Martínez also entered. And with 15 minutes left, so that no one is left without enjoying their debut, goalkeeper Facundo Cambeses, from Racing, entered.
TECHNICAL SHEET
0 -Puerto Rico: Cutler De Jesus, Sidney Paris (Diego Ríos, m.74), Nicolás Cardona (Rodolfo Suria, m.82), Giovanni Calderón, Steven Echevarria, Isaac Angking (Juan O’ Neill, m.62), Roberto Ydrach, Jeremy De Leon (Noeh Hernández, m.62), Wilfredo Rivera (Diego Rossi, m.82), Leandro Antonetti, Rucardi Rivera (Gerald Díaz, m.73).
6 – Argentina: Emiliano Martínez (Facundo Cambeses, m.76), Gonzalo Montiel (Nahuel Molina, m.63), Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Otamendi (Lautaro Rivero, m.46), Nico González, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Giovani Lo Celso (Anibal Moreno, m.46), Giuliano Simeone (Nico Paz, m.58), Lionel Messi and José López (Lautaro Martínez, m.63).
Goals: 1-0, Mac Allister (m. 14); 2-0, Gonzalo Montiel (m. 23); 3-0, Mac Allister (m. 36); 4-0, Steven Evchevarria, in pp (m. 64); 5-0, Lautaro Martínez (m. 79); 6-0, Lautaro Martínez (m. 84)
Referee: Armando Villarreal, from the United States. He did not caution players.
Incidents: friendly match played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale (Florida).
Puerto Rico did not directly shoot on goal in the final stage. Argentina deepened its monologue. And the goals kept coming. The fourth went against him, while Lautaro celebrated the fifth and sixth. Until the end Leo Messi (he completed the 90 minutes) continued looking for his goal, but this time what doesn’t usually happen happened: he didn’t find it. It’s still a detail. Argentina scored a goal, tried out some new players and is making steady progress in its preparation for the World Cup.
