Argentina Defeats El Salvador 3-0 In Friendly Match Without Messi

• Argentina secured a 3-0 win against El Salvador in a friendly match, in the absence Lionel Messi’s.
• Goals from Romero, Fernández, and Lo Celso sealed the victory at Lincoln Financial Field.
• Young talents Garnacho and Barco also received playing time, with Barco impressing as a standout performer.

Eko Hot Blog reports that despite the absence of captain Lionel Messi, Argentina didn’t falter on Friday as the world champions prepared for their Copa America title defense with a commanding 3-0 friendly win over El Salvador in Philadelphia.

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Defender Cristian Romero broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, followed by goals from Enzo Fernández in the 42nd and Giovani Lo Celso in the 52nd, sealing the victory at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner currently shining for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, was sidelined from Friday’s game and Argentina’s upcoming friendly against Costa Rica in Los Angeles after sustaining a hamstring tweak during Miami’s 3-1 triumph over Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup earlier this month.

Despite the chilly conditions in Philadelphia, Argentina proved they didn’t rely on him to secure a comfortable victory in their first friendly of the year against a team that hasn’t won in 21 matches.

Romero was the first to break through against the team coached by Spain’s David Doniga, rising to head home a corner kick taken by Angel Di Maria.

Just before halftime, Di Maria controlled the ball on the right side and fed Rodrigo de Paul, whose backward pass was met by Lo Celso’s header to Fernandez, who calmly finished in front of the goal.

In the second half, Lo Celso took his chance, capitalizing on another impressive link-up play between Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez to slot home a left-footed shot.

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During the match, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni seized the chance to provide playing time to young talents Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Barco. Barco, the 19-year-old left-back signed by Brighton in January, particularly impressed after standing out for the U-23 team during their qualification campaign for the Paris Olympics.

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