Argentina cruise past Puerto Rico with braces from Mac Allister, Martinez

Argentina cruise past Puerto Rico with braces from Mac Allister, Martinez

Lionel Messi provides two assists in the 6-0 friendly win, played at Inter Miami’s home after being moved from Chicago.

Argentina
Argentina’s Lionel Messi leads the team out ahead of the international friendly against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium. (AFP pic)
MIAMI:
Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martinez each scored two goals and Argentina routed Puerto Rico 6-0 in an international football friendly on Tuesday.

Argentine legend Lionel Messi assisted on two goals and played the entire way in a match moved from Chicago to the home pitch of Messi’s MLS Inter Miami squad.

Mac Allister, a standout midfielder for reigning English Premier League champion Liverpool, opened the scoring on a header in the 14th minute.

Messi set up the second goal for the Albiceleste with a through ball to Gonzalo Montiel, who fired in a shot to the bottom left corner in the 23rd minute.

Mac Allister scored again in the 36th minute for a 3-0 Argentina half-time lead.

Puerto Rico’s Steven Echevarria scored an own goal in the 64th minute to give Argentina a 4-0 edge.

Martinez, who entered in the 63rd minute, scored in the 79th and 84th minutes – the latter off a Messi assist – to give the South Americans their final victory margin.

The match was moved over low ticket sales, according to organisers.

Argentina was coming off a 1-0 victory over Colombia last Friday, the same day Puerto Rico beat St Vincent and the Grenadines 2-1.

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