Argentina defeated Australia in a comfortable fashion 2-0 in a friendly game at Beijing.
Captain Lionel Messi opened the scoring within the opening 2 minutes after an excellently curled ball from the edge of the box. It was Messi’s fastest ever career goal as he led his team to a convincing win.
Substitute German Pezzella doubled Leo Scalone’s team lead and pretty much wrapped it up.
Australia had a good chance to score in the first half with Mitch Duke’s shot found the side post after goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez just managed to get a hand on it.
However, Albiceleste looked in full control and were the dominant side throughout the entirety of the game in what is a repeat of the World Cup last 16 match, where the Australians proved a much tougher opposition.
It was Argentina’s third match after famously lifting the 2022 World Cup for the 3rd time and the first one outside their home ground.