Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez both scored twice as Argentina secured a 4-1 victory over Guatemala in their last warm-up match before the Copa America tournament in Maryland. The game started off with an unexpected own goal by Lisandro Martinez from Manchester United, giving Guatemala an early lead, which was their first-ever goal against the reigning champions of the World Cup and Copa America. However, Messi quickly equalized with a goal after the Guatemala keeper’s clearance went straight to him, allowing him to score into an empty net.
Lautaro Martinez, the top scorer of Serie A last season, then put Argentina ahead with a penalty in the 39th minute. He later scored his second goal of the match from a pass by Messi after the halftime break. Both players expressed their determination to win the upcoming Copa America, with Martinez stating, “We are aiming for the title, we are fighting for everything.” Messi also emphasized the team’s goal of preparing well for the tournament and striving for success.
Messi completed his brace in the 77th minute following an excellent pass from substitute Angel di Maria. The Copa America tournament is set to take place in the United States from June 20 to July 14, with Argentina beginning their campaign against Canada, followed by matches against Chile and Peru. Despite acknowledging the increasing difficulty of winning titles, Messi affirmed the team’s commitment to giving their best efforts and striving for success in the tournament. He stated, “We’re going to keep trying to do our best, we still want to keep winning titles.”
As Argentina gears up for the Copa America, fans can expect an exciting and competitive performance from the team led by coach Lionel Scaloni. With the talent and determination shown in the victory over Guatemala, Argentina is poised to be a strong contender in the upcoming tournament. The players’ focus on preparation and commitment to achieving success highlights their dedication to representing their country at the highest level of international competition.