 Angola are making their debut at the World Cup finals |
Maxi Rodriguez and Juan Pablo Sorin scored first-half goals for Argentina to beat fellow World Cup finalists Angola 2-0 in a friendly on Tuesday. Argentina also produced scoring chances in the second half but Rodriguez struck the crossbar and Pablo Aimar hit the post.
Long-injured Lionel Messi appeared as a substitute in the 63rd minute and proved fit and imaginative.
The teenager had a shot on goal in the 88th minute that curled just wide.
Messi, who injured his right thigh on 7 March, had played just 20 minutes before Tuesday's friendly in Salerno.
It was the last warm-up match for Argentina before they play Ivory Coast on 10 June in Hamburg at the World Cup in a Group C game before they take on Serbia-Montenegro and Holland.
Angola, who are in Group D at the World Cup along with Portugal, Mexico and Iran, produced a single scoring chance in the initial minutes.
Argentina goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri saved a powerful drive by Mendonca from the edge of the area.
Argentina: Abbondanzieri, Heinze (Scaloni 68), Ayala, Burdisso, Sorin, Cambiasso (Aimar 79), Riquelme (Messi 68), Maxi (Tevez 79), Mascherano, Crespo, Saviola (Milito 68).
Subs Not Used: Franco, Coloccini, Gonzalez, Cruz, Cufre, Palacio, Ustari.
Booked: Maxi.
Goals: Maxi 28, Sorin 36.
Angola: Joao Ricardo, Kali, Jamba, Loco, Marco (Delgado 79), Macanga, Figueiredo (Flavio 79), Mendonca (Buengo 79), Edson (Ze Kalanga 68), Mateus (Mantorras 48), Akwa (Milloy 68).
Subs Not Used: Mario, Rui Marques, Lama, Love, Lebo-Lebo, Airosa.
Ref: Stefano Farina (Italy).
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