El Salvador's Mario Gonzalez, center, cannot block a goal by Argentina's Enzo Fernandez during the first half of a friendly soccer match in Philadelphia.
Friendlies: Lionel Messi-Less Argentina Beat El Salvador 3-0 - In Pics
No Lionel Messi, no problem. Argentina brushed off the absence of their captain and star player with an easy win. The 2022 FIFA World Cup-winners comfortably defeated El Salvador 3-0 in their first match of 2024, an international friendly, courtesy goals from Cristian Romero, Enzo Fernandez and Giovani Lo Celso. Argentina took the lead in the 16th minute with a strong header from Romero. Three minutes before the end of first half, Fernandes doubled the lead with a strike from close range. Lo Celso scored the third and final goal of the match seven minutes into the second half. The world champion side will next take on Costa Rica?in?Los?Angeles.
International Friendlies: Argentina vs El Salvador
| Photo: AP/Matt Slocum
Argentina's Giovani Lo Celso, right, and El Salvador's Bryan Tamacas battle for the ball during the first half of a friendly soccer match in Philadelphia.
International Friendlies: Argentina vs El Salvador
| Photo: AP/Matt Slocum
Argentina's Nicolas Gonzalez, left, collides with El Salvador's Bryan Tamacas during the first half of a friendly soccer match in Philadelphia.
International Friendlies: Argentina vs El Salvador
| Photo: AP/Matt Slocum
Argentina's Alejandro Garnacho, right, takes a shot against El Salvador' Jorge Cruz during the second half of a friendly soccer match in Philadelphia.
International Friendlies: Argentina vs El Salvador
| Photo: AP/Matt Slocum
Argentina's Lautaro Martinez, left, and El Salvador's Mario Gonzalez chase a shot during the second half of a friendly soccer match in Philadelphia.
International Friendlies: Argentina vs El Salvador
| Photo: AP/Matt Slocum
Argentina's Giovani Lo Celso reacts after scoring a goal during the second half of a friendly soccer match against El Salvador in Philadelphia.
International Friendlies: Argentina vs El Salvador
| Photo: AP/Matt Slocum
Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi, left, and El Salvador's Darwin Ceren battle for the ball during the second half of a friendly in Philadelphia.
International Friendlies: Argentina vs El Salvador
| Photo: AP/Matt Slocum
El Salvador's Mario Gonzales, left, punches the ball away from Argentina's Nehuen Perez during the first half of a friendly soccer match in Philadelphia.
International Friendlies: Argentina vs El Salvador
| Photo: AP/Matt Slocum
Argentina's Cristian Romero reacts after scoring a goal during the first half of a friendly soccer match against El Salvador in Philadelphia.
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