Argentina 4-1 Guatemala: Messi and Martinez star as Copa America holders warm up in style

Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez scored twice for Argentina as they concluded their Copa America preparations with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Guatemala.

Argentina found themselves behind inside four minutes when Lisandro Martinez’s own goal handed Guatemala their first-ever goal against La Albiceleste.

However, Messi, who was featuring for the 182nd time for his country, levelled the contest eight minutes later as goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen’s poor clearance fell kindly into his path.

Lionel Scaloni’s team were awarded a penalty just before half-time as Nicolas Samayoa fouled Valentin Carboni, with Martinez stepping from 12 yards to score.

Messi and Martinez combined for Argentina’s third goal, with the latter doubling his tally after he was picked out by his team-mate in the area.

Messi put the result beyond doubt late on, lofting the ball over Hagen after latching onto a fine pass from his former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate, Angel Di Maria.

#SelecciónMayor

@Argentina 4 (Lionel #Messi x2 y Lautaro Martínez x2) #Guatemala (Lisandro Martínez e/c)

¡Final del partido!

El elenco comandado por Lionel #Scaloni hará su debut en la @CopaAmerica el próximo jueves. pic.twitter.com/d9BY5FzCyW

— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) June 15, 2024

Argentina kick off their Group A campaign against Canada on June 21 before facing Chile and Peru in their quest to retain their Copa America title.

Data Debrief: Messi and Martinez make light work of minnows

Guatemala were simply no match for their illustrious opponents at FedEx Field, managing only four attempts and getting none of those on target, mustering 0.18 expected goals.

Argentina finished with 3.07 xG, with Martinez (1.47) and Messi (1.3) responsible for the majority of that figure. Between them, they had 13 shots, nine more than Guatemala managed as a team.