Argentina defeated Honduras 3-0 on Friday in Miami thanks to two goals from Lionel Messi as they continue to polish their techniques in preparation for the forthcoming international competition in Qatar.
From the first whistle, Messi was in the heart of the action, lobbing a pass to the rushing Papu Gomez, who found Lautaro Martinez for an early 1-0 advantage.
Deybi Flores of Honduras smashed into the 35-year-old Messi in the 39th minute, causing him to fall to the ground face down and earning him a yellow card.
The Honduras players were immediately confronted by Messi's teammates, and the teams traded insults before refraining from exchanging blows. The captain of Argentina continued to play.
Near the end of the half Marcelo Santos fouled Argentina’s Giovani Lo Celso and Messi coolly slotted home the penalty for a 2-0 advantage.
Argentina kept its foot on the gas in the second half, extending their unbeaten streak to 34 matches.
Enzo Fernandez stole the ball in the 69th minute and it fell perfectly to Messi, who chipped it over the goalkeeper’s head to the delight of the partisan crowd at Hard Rock Stadium.
Determined to continue putting on a show for his fans, Messi tried a difficult leaping shot in the waning minutes of the match but it missed the target. The crowd roared in approval nonetheless.
Next up for Argentina is another friendly, this time against Jamaica on Tuesday in New Jersey.
Two-time World Cup champions Argentina are among the favourites to win it all in Qatar and play their first group stage match against Saudi Arabia on Nov. 22.