SINGAPORE: Argentina shrugged off Lionel Messi’s controversial absence by thumping six goals past minnows Singapore in a one-sided friendly on Tuesday.
Messi’s pre-game departure —reportedly to prepare for his wedding —= prompted grumbles among fans but Argentina were not short of firepower as six different players found the net.
Defender Federico Fazio and Carlos Correa scored in the first half before Alejandro Gomez, Leandro Paredes, Lucas Alario and Angel di Maria poured on the goals in the second half.
Coach Jorge Sampaoli said the display, on top of last week’s 1-0 friendly win against Brazil in Melbourne, gave him hope for Argentina’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
The two-time world champions lie fifth in the South American group, outside the automatic qualifying spots with games against Uruguay, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador to come.
“We aren’t just (a group of) 25 people but a lot more, especially against the likes of Uruguay which will pave the way for our qualification to the next World Cup,” Sampaoli said. “This enthusiasm is going to fill the people of Argentina up, like those who woke up early to watch the game.”
“So we can deliver the opportunity and show them that the team is alive and will fight. We are definitely going to need a lot more people wearing our Argentinian colours with what lies ahead.”
Argentina, who were also missing Gonzalo Higuain and Nicolas Otamendi, were in control from the outset but it took until the 24th minute before Fazio flicked in a header from a corner. — AFP
Results from international friendlies on Tuesday:
At Paris: France 3 (Umtiti 22, Sidibé 43, Dembele 78) England 2 (Kane 9, 48-pen)
At Getafe, Spain: Colombia 4 (Rodriguez 16, Mina 31, 51, Izquierdo 85) Cameroon 0
At Oslo: Norway 1 (Elyounoussi 44) Sweden 1 (Armentero 81)
At Cluj-Napoca, Romania: Romania 3 (Stancu 31, Stanciu 60, Baluta 83) Chile 2 (Vargas 8, Valencia 18)
At Moruleng, South Africa: South Africa 1 (Manyama 23) Zambia 2 (Mwila 72, Mundia 79)
At Singapore: Singapore 0 Argentina 6 (Fazio 25, Correa 30, Gomez 61, Paredes 74, Alario 90, di Maria 90+2)
At Melbourne: Australia 0 Brazil 4 (Souza 1, 90+3, Silva 62, Taison 75)
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