Lionel Messi set up two goals and played 90 minutes as Argentina clobbered Puerto Rico 6-0 in an international friendly at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Tuesday.
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Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martinez bagged braces as the World Cup champions handled CONCACAF minnows Puerto Rico with little trouble.
Gonzalo Montiel and a Puerto Rico own goal also met the score sheet.
For live updates and highlights throughout Puerto Rico vs Argentina, check out PST’s live blog coverage below.
How to watch Puerto Rico vs Argentina live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 8pm ET Tuesday (October 14)
Venue: Chase Stadium — Fort Lauderdale, Florida
TV Channel: None
Streaming: ViX, Fanatiz
Puerto Rico vs Argentina live updates - by Andy Edwards
Puerto Rico vs Argentina final score: 0-6
Goalscorers: Alexis Mac Allister (14', 36'), Gonzalo Montiel (23'), Steven Echevarria (65' - OG), Lautaro Martinez (79', 84')
GOAL! Puerto Rico 0-6 Argentina: Lautaro bags his second off the bench (84')
GOAL! Puerto Rico 0-5 Argentina: Lautaro finishes Gonzalez’s second assist (79')
GOAL! Puerto Rico 0-4 Argentina: Echevarria puts the ball in his own net (65')
GOAL! Puerto Rico 0-3 Argentina: Mac Allisted bags his second of the game (36')
GOAL! Puerto Rico 0-2 Argentina: Montiel mashes Messi’s cross (23')
GOAL! Puerto Rico 0-1 Argentina: Mac Allister heads home Gonzalez’s wayward shot (14')
Argentina starting lineup
Martinez - Montiel, Balerdi, Otamendi, Gonzalez - Mac Allister, De Paul, Lo Celso, Simeone - Messi, Lopez
Puerto Rico starting lineup
Cutler - Paris, Cardona, Calderon, Echevarria - Ydrach, Angking, De Leon - W. Rivera, R. Rivera, Antonetti
The 38-year-old sat out Argentina’s 1-0 friendly win over Venezuela last week, instead opting to deliver a shining performance for Inter Miami in a 4-0 win over Atlanta United. Messi had two goals and an assist in the game, which came seven days after a three-assist showing against New England.
So Messi looks set to collect his 195th cap for Argentina on Tuesday, hoping to add to his 114 goals for the Albiceleste.
Hosts Los Boricuas haven’t played since a 2-1 win over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines back in June. That was their first win in six games, and English coach Charlie Trout would be thrilled to put together a fine performance against the world’s best player.
Puerto Rico team news, focus
The squad is heavily-insulated with American-based players including multiple players from NCAA schools and USL League One rosters. Their leading scorers — Ricardo Rivera and Gerald Diaz — both play for USL Championship side Miami FC.
Argentina team news, focus
Aside from Messi, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni could opt to give runs to several players anxious for caps ahead of the World Cup. Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi enters with two caps, while River Plate defender Lautaro Rivero is yet to be capped by the senior team. Palmeiras duo Jose Manuel Lopez and Anibal Moreno are also seeking their first caps, while Crystal Palace keeper Walter Benitez could earn a second cap.
Puerto Rico vs Argentina prediction
If Puerto Rico hangs within a couple of goals it will be notable. Puerto Rico 0-4 Argentina.
