Argentina put on a show at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to defeat El Salvador 3-0 in an international friendly. Cristian Romero, Enzo Fernández and Giovani Lo Celso scored the goals for Lionel Scaloni’s side.
Lionel Messi missed the match due to a hamstring injury that ruled him out of this March international window. La Albiceleste return to action Tuesday, when they play Costa Rica in Los Angeles.
Argentina beat El Salvador 3-0
That's it for tonight. Argentina outplayed El Salvador to win 3-0 and you lived every moment in Bolavip. Thanks for staying with us and we'll see you next time!
90' - FULL TIME!
The referee blew the final whistle as Argentina claim a 3-0 victory over El Salvador in their first friendly in 2024.
89' - Garnacho misses again!
The Manchester United sensation is struggling to find the net tonight as once again his effort goes wide.
85' - Argentina still in control
Argentina are comfortably controlling the ball but continue to chase the opposition's net to try and make this a five-goal match.
81' - González again!
The Salvadoran goalkeeper saves another rocket by Di María.
González saves El Salvador from worse result
Mário González may be the reason Argentina are not leading by an even bigger difference.
78' - Garnacho's effort goes wide!
Alejandro Garnacho almost seized a great pass by Mac Allister but his effort couldn't find the net.
77' - El Salvador make their final substitutions
Blanco and Henríquez are replaced by Garay and Flores, respectively.
72' - More substitutions
Darwin Cerén leaves the field for Mervin Cartagena in El Salvador. Argentina make their last two substitutions as well, with Cristian Romero being replaced by Nahuel Molina, whereas Alexis Mac Allister comes on for Giovani Lo Celso.
71' - Argentina not slowing down
La Albiceleste continue to put El Salvador's back against the wall, with Garnacho and Barco actively looking to find the net.
64' - More substitutions
Brighton gem Facundo Buonanotte replaces Rodrigo de Paul in Argentina, whereas Bryan Tamacas and Narciso Orellana left the field for El Salvador, with Pablo Punyed and Julio Sibrián coming on.
59' - González denies Di María again
The Salvadoran came up with another great save to prevent Di María from scoring a beautiful goal.
56' - Barco makes international debut
Brighton left-back Valentín Barco comes on for Nicolás Tagliafico to earn his first cap with the Argentine senior national team.
Lo Celso's goal
The fantastic play that put Argentina 3-0.
52' - LO CELSO SCORES!
Di María and Lautaro Martínez combine to leave Giovani Lo Celso with a golden chance, and the midfielder didn't miss.
50' - De Paul saved on the line!
De Paul had the third of the night on his feet but his effort was saved on the line.
47' - Yellow card for Orellana
Tempers flare as Narciso Orellana makes an ugly foul on Giovani Lo Celso.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
The second half is on with Argentina making two changes: Otamendi for Enzo Fernández while Alejandro Garnacho replaces Nicolás González.
HALFTIME IN PHILADELPHIA
Argentina lead 2-0 at the break at the Lincoln Financial Field.
WATCH ENZO'S GOAL
This is how Argentina celebrated the second of the night in Philly.
41' - ENZO FERNÁNDEZ SCORES!
The Chelsea midfielder sent home a loose ball inside the box following a great team play involving Ángel Di María and Rodrigo De Paul.
El Salvador's great chance!
La Selecta almost celebrated the equalizer with this dramatic play.
30' - Argentina looking for the second!
A great team play almost results in the second of the night for La Albiceleste, but it's still a one-goal game in Philadelphia.
28' - El Salvador almost tie the match!
Darwin Céren's effort was deflected and went just wide.
25' - González responds again
El Salvador keeper denies a powerful shot by Ángel Di María to avoid this game going further away for his side!
Romero's header
The goal that put Argentina in front in Philadelphia!
16' - ROMERO SCORES!
Just like that, a Cuti Romero header puts Argentina in front in Philadelphia!
15' - Argentina looking for the opener
The defending world champs control possession of the ball but are still trying to figure out how to break the deadlock at Lincoln Financial Field.
Dibu Martinez's new hairstyle
Emiliano Martinez came up with a special hairstyle rocking the country's three stars!
7' - Argentina's first effort!
González saved a deflected shot to keep the game 0-0!
6' - Dibu Martinez warned
The referee warned the Argentine keeper for delaying the game.
3' - Corner for El Salvador!
La Selecta put some pressure on the reigning world champs!
GAME ON!
The game is underway in Philadelphia!
Teams already on the field!
Both teams are on the field for the national anthems as kick-off draws nearer!
Argentina's No. 10 remains untaken
With Messi out, Argentina's iconic No. 10 shirt will remain unused during this international window, as Gaston Edul of TyC Sports reports.
El Salvador's lineup
This is how El Salvador will line up in Philly tonight: Mario González, Bryan Tamacas, Melvin Cruz, Rudy Clavel, Jorge Cruz, Narciso Orellana, Nelson Flores, Darwin Cerén, Christian Martínez; Jairo Henríquez, Nelson Bonilla.
Argentina's starting XI
Scaloni will try something different tonight, with Nehuén Pérez making his debut while Nicolás Tagliafico will play center-back. Argentina's lineup: Emiliano Martínez; Nehuén Pérez, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Tagliafico, Nicolás González; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso; Ángel Di María, Lautaro Martínez.
Why Lionel Messi isn't playing
Lionel Messi picked up an injury while playing for Inter Miami, which is why he won't suit up for Argentina tonight. It remains to be seen whether another player will wear No. 10, while Lionel Scaloni has reportedly decided who will take penalties during Leo's absence.
Tonight's stage
The scene is set at the Lincoln Financial Field, the stage for tonight's international friendly. Home to the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, it opened in 2003 with a club friendly between Barcelona and Manchester United. With a 68,532 capacity, it was home to three Copa América Centenario matches in 2016. In two years, it will host six World Cup fixtures.
Argentina vs El Salvador: Head-to-Head
These teams met just twice so far, with Argentina emerging victorious both times. Their first matchup came in the 1982 World Cup, with La Albiceleste claiming a 2-0 win in the first round. Last time they met, La Selecta lost 2-0 in a friendly in Washington on March 28, 2015.
The Argentine national team plays an international friendly against El Salvador in Philadelphia tonight. This will be the first game of the year for the reigning world champions.