Messi runs the show again as Argentina stroll to victory

Argentina overpowered Puerto Rico with a brilliant performance from Lionel Messi, who orchestrated the game first from deep, alongside the midfielders, and later near the box, directing every attack. The captain and leader of the world champions played the full match, guiding his team to a comfortable win that extended his superb form and strengthened Argentina’s confidence heading toward the World Cup.

To everyone’s surprise, the first real chance of the game fell to Antonetti, who stole the ball from Messi in his own half and unleashed a 60-yard strike that forced Dibu Martínez to scramble back and save it right on the line.

A few minutes later, Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring. Messi’s shot hit the crossbar, and in the ensuing play, Nico González volleyed the rebound toward goal. The Liverpool midfielder appeared just in time to flick the ball into the net. With the lead secured, Argentina accelerated. They pressed high, quickly won possession, and Messi delivered a magnificent assist that Gonzalo Montiel finished with an even better volley.

At the 36-minute mark, Mac Allister struck again to complete his brace after a wonderful team move that began with Messi, continued with González, and ended when Flaco displayed his trademark flair – a deft touch inside the box that left the midfielder free to finish clinically. Even with a commanding advantage, Dibu Martínez was called into action once more, producing a superb double save after Rivero tested him with a fierce left-footed effort.

Debuts and more goals

After the break, coach Lionel Scaloni handed debuts to Rivero and Moreno before bringing on Lautaro Martínez and Montiel. Soon after that second round of substitutions, Argentina netted their fourth – an own goal by Echeverría.

Messi stayed on the pitch and pushed hard for a goal of his own, but despite several close chances, he was denied. Cutler made a fine save from one of his strikes, and the defense blocked others. Deprived of a goal, Messi focused once more on creating – threading another exquisite pass between the lines to send González through. The winger squared the ball for Lautaro, who calmly slotted it home. Moments later, Messi added another assist, cutting the ball back for the Inter striker to seal the rout.

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