Even minus Messi, Argentina proves too strong for Italy

Argentina made light of the absence of injured striker Lionel Messi to beat Italy 2-1 in an entertaining friendly in Rome on Wednesday.

Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria was the catalyst as Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega scored the visitor's goals before Lorenzo Insigne replied for the Azzurri.

Dubbed the "Pope Francis match" because it pitted the home of the new pontiff against the country he technically resides in, this was an eagerly-anticipated encounter.