WASHINGTON: Argentina’s Ezequiel Lavezzi shoots as El Salvador’s Alexander Larin attempts to block during their international friendly at FedEx Field.—Reuters

LONDON: Despite missing Lionel Messi, Argentina had too much attacking firepower for El Salvador as they ran out 2-0 winners with Mexico and Senegal also amongst the winners in Saturday’s international friendlies.

Ever Banega scored with a deflected shot in the 54th minute at the Fedex Field in Washington and a curling free-kick from debutant Federico Mancuello two minutes from time secured victory for Argentina, who were using the match as a warm-up for the Copa America in June.

Mexico are preparing for two tournaments, the Copa America from June 11-July 4 and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States which kicks off on July 7, and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez’s 14th-minute goal saw them win 1-0 against Ecuador at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Copa holders Uruguay, meanwhile, had a 1-0 win over Morocco in Agadir, scoring through an Edinson Cavani penalty after Diego Rolan was fouled in the area by Nabil Dirar in the 51st minute.

Morocco’s African rivals Senegal, who like them are using the international break to prepare for the qualifiers for the 2017 African Cup of Nations which kick off in June, triumphed 2-1 over Ghana with substitute Moussa Konate scored twice.

Konate replaced Demba Ba just past the hour mark and struck twice within 11 minutes at the Stade Oceane in the northern French city of Le Havre with Richmond Boakye pulling one back with eight minutes remaining for Ghana.

In Dubai, Ahmad Ibrahim Khalaf and Humam Tariq scored as Iraq won 2-1 over the Democratic Republic of Congo while Mauritius and Togo drew 1-1 in Bellevue.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2015

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