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New Argentina crushes champion Spain

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-09 10:32

Fernando Llorente (L) of Spain reacts next to Argentina's Martin Demichelis after a missed opportunity during their international friendly soccer match in Buenos Aires September 7, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

BUENOS AIRES - Carlos Tevez laid on two goals and scored a third as Argentina beat world champion Spain 4-1 in a friendly at the Monumental on Tuesday.

Argentina, rebuilding after World Cup coach Diego Maradona was let go, scored two early goals in the space of three minutes.

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Lionel Messi, appearing marginally offside, chipped brilliantly over Pepe Reina from a through ball by Tevez, who minutes earlier shot just wide in Argentina's first attack.

Gonzalo Higuain scored the second from a narrow angle after being put through by Tevez, again justifying coach Sergio Batista's decision to field him in a three-man strike force, and rounding Reina.

The goalkeeper was at fault with the third just past the half hour. He slipped going to kick a back pass by Alvaro Arbeloa and the busy Tevez was rewarded for a trademark chase by just beating Reina to the ball to scoop it in close to the near post.

Fernando Llorente pulled one back from fellow substitute Pedro's square ball into the middle of the box with six minutes remaining before Serio Aguero headed a stoppage-time fourth for Argentina.

"Argentina played very well. We have to recognize that," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque told a news conference.

"It's beneficial to the squad to know how to play the weak teams like Liechtenstein and also the big ones."

"I think Argentina had a lot of merit in preventing (the crowd) from seeing the Spain we saw in the World Cup," his oppositite number, Batista, said.

Messi showed where his importance to Argentina lies just past the hour, having been quiet since the resumption. He weaved his way through the defence from the right to pass to the left where substitute Angel Di Maria scored, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

"He's finally won over the crowd, that's good for the image he gives of us in the world," said defender Martin Demichelis, referring to criticism at home that Messi does not play as well for Argentina as Barcelona.

Agence France-Presse