Gio Lo Celso grabbed the only goal as Argentina eased to a 1-0 win over Venezuela in a rather drab international friendly held at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. The reigning World Cup champions were a little languid as the game wore on in the absence of Lionel Messi, who was rested, but did enough in the first half to secure a narrow win.
enjoyed a positive start in the first half. Nico Paz, handed a place in the starting XI by manager Lionel Scaloni after a fine few months for Como, pulled the strings, and was unfortunate not to score – pinging a shot off the post. They continued to push, and were eventually good value for the opener. A loose ball fell to the feet of Lautaro Martinez, who fed Lo Celso. His shot was poor, but it deflected off the goalkeeper and into goal in the 31st minute.
Argentina had further chances in the second half. Julian Alvarez had a couple of looks denied. Martinez got more involved in the attack. But they were otherwise slightly off pace in key areas, and missing a final ball as Venezuela sat in. La Vinotinto had their moments, though. They offered some attacking threat late on and cracked a shot off the bar. Scaloni's side struggled as they rotated, their attacking threat diminished as they missed Messi's impetus. Martinez thought he had sealed it late on, but was denied by a remarkable double save to keep the scoreline close.
GOAL rates Argentina's players from Hard Rock Stadium…
GettyGoalkeeper & Defence
Emiliano Martinez (7/10):
Made a couple of tidy interventions when needed, and offered some calm when his side lost control.
Nahuel Molina (5/10):
Got done a couple of times on the right. Looked tired by the time he was subbed, too.
Cristian Romero (6/10):
Up for the fight, but rather lost his head here and there. His side could have done with a little more defensive solidity.
Marcos Senesi (6/10):
Looked a little vulnerable at times, and could have offered a bit more support when Venezuela broke.
Nico Tagliafico (6/10):
Very little to report from a solid 45 minutes. Occupied spaces, moved the ball well enough.
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Enzo Fernandez (6/10):
Completed by far the most passes in the match, but most of them were sideways.
Gio Lo Celso (8/10):
Grabbed the opening goal and was really positive in midfield. Comfortable Argentina's best performer.
Leandro Paredes (7/10):
A good hour. Looked to be a bit more expansive in his passing, and found some valuable pockets of space. Continues to make a case for World Cup inclusion.
Nico Paz (6/10):
Really lively early on, and made things happen in the pocket. His influence waned as the game wore on.
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Lautaro Martinez (8/10):
Showed a great bit of unselfishness to feed Lo Celso. Deserved a goal, but saw a couple of shots well denied.
Julian Alvarez (6/10):
Pressed like an absolute animal, but struggled to get anything going in an attacking sense.
GettySubs & Manager
Nico Gonzalez (6/10):
A solid half. In with a shout to start at left-back.
Giuliano Simeone (6/10):
Provided loads of energy, but not much in the way of quality.
Alexis Mac Allister (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Rodrigo De Paul (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Leonardo Balerdi (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Lionel Scaloni (7/10):
Experimented a bit with Messi out of the squad. His side was bright early, but ran out of ideas a little late on. Will take the win, even if the performance didn't entirely convince.