Messi, Lautaro score brace as Argentina thrash Guatemala in last friendly before 2024 Copa America

That's all for tonight! Argentina bounced back from a slow start to turn things around against Guatemala, claiming a 4-1 win in their last friendly before the 2024 Copa America.

Lionel Messi scored a brace and assisted Lautaro Martinez, who also scored from the penalty spot thanks to Leo, who let the striker take the spot-kick.

You lived every moment of this thrilling game with us, here on Bolavip. We hope you enjoyed it!

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Argentina defeated Guatemala 4-1 in Washington.

The reigning world champs are in control of the ball as they look for another goal in Washington.

With this beautiful finish, Messi reaches 108 international goals:

Leo Messi chipped the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 4-1 for Argentina.

Guatemala are only losing 3-1 thanks to Hagen, as the goalkeeper denied Julian Alvarez before deflecting a bycicle kick from Di Maria.

Gonzalo Montiel comes on for Nahuel Molina, while Lucas Martinez Quarta replaces Enzo Fernandez.

Here's the goal scored by Martinez with an assist from Messi:

De Paul put the ball in the back of the net but the assistant ref ruled offside.

Lautaro with his second of the night thanks to an assist by Messi.

Just after the goal celebration, Martinez left the field for Julian Alvarez.

A pitch invader stormed the field to greet Messi but security stopped him.

Leandro Paredes, Angel Di Maria, and Rodrigo de Paul come on for Argentina.

Valentin Carboni, Giovani Lo Celso, and Alexis Mac Allister leave the field.

Nicolas Gonzalez almost finishes off a fantastic team play but his shot gets deflected.

Morales' effort goes just wide as Argentina still lead 2-1 in Washington.

The reigning world champs are dominating possession of the ball as they look to extend their lead.

Argentina and Guatemala are back from the break as the game continues at Commanders Field.

After started trailing with an own goal by Lisandro Martinez, Argentina lead 2-1 at the break thanks to goals by Messi and Lautaro.

What a sequence! Messi's free kick hit the post, the woodwork saved Guatemala in the rebound and, even though Argentina managed to find the net after all, the goal was disallowed for offside.

Messi with a great set piece opportunity as Lautaro gets fouled.

Here's the goal that is giving Argentina the lead against Guatemala:

Leo Messi let Lautaro Martinez take the spot-kick and the Inter Milan star made sure to give his side the lead.

Carboni got fouled inside the box.

Another shot by Messi gets deflected but Argentina will have a corner kick.

Hagen saves Messi's long-range shot.

Marco Dominguez gets booked for a foul on Messi and Argentina will have an interesting free kick.

Nicolas Gonzalez's cross got deflected and Argentina will have a set piece.

Otamendi gets booked for a strong challenge on Rubin.

A foul by Dominguez makes Leo complain against Dickerson.

Here's the absurd gift from Hagen that let Messi tie the game for Argentina:

Martinez tried to clear the ball but Castellanos almost scores with an empty net.

This game is definitely thrilling!

The Guatemala keeper gifted Messi the equalizer.

Here's Lisandro Martinez's own goal that gives Guatemala the lead against Argentina:

Still shocked by the unexpected Lisandro Martinez own goal, Argentina are desperately trying to get things going with the ball but Guatemala are not making it easy.

Just like that! Guatemala seize on the free-kick occasion and take the lead in Washington!

Nicolas Otamendi gives Guatemala a set piece.

Only three minutes into the game, Argentina are in complete control of the ball, with Guatemala dropping back to try and prevent the world champs from finding spaces.

The game between Argentina and Guatemala is underway at Commanders Field.

Argentina and Guatemala are already on the field for the national anthems.

The game is about to start!

Both Argentina and Guatemala returned to the dressing rooms as they've already warmed up for the game.

Kick-off in 10 minutes!

Leo Messi greets fans at Commanders Field during warm up.

Argentina head into this game aiming to build on a 1-0 friendly win over Ecuador at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday.

Guatemala, on the other hand, already played twice this month, claiming commanding wins over Dominica (6-0) and the British Virgin Islands (3-0).

Both Argentina and Guatemala are already performing warm-up drills at Commanders Field.

We're nearly 30 minutes away from kick-off!

Now we can officially say Lionel Messi will start tonight.

This is Argentina's starting lineup against Guatemala: Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Gonzalez; Valentin Carboni, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Giovani Lo Celso; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez.

Luis Fernando Tena has already confirmed Guatemala's starting eleven to face Argentina tonight:

Argentina and Guatemala have already met twice, with La Albiceleste emerging victorious in both friendlies.

Leo Messi stole the show in their first meeting in June 14, 2013, scoring a hat-trick as Argentina won 4-0 (Augusto Fernandez also got on the scoresheet) in Guatemala.

Five years later, Argentina put three past Guatemala when they met on September 8, 2018, in Los Angeles.

Argentina and Guatemala will face off at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland, 5 miles east of Washington DC.

Home to the NFL's Washington Commanders, this stadium has a 58,000 capacity and has already hosted soccer matches, as it was one of the 1998 FIFA Women's World Cup venues.

A general view during a match between the United States and Colombia at Commanders Field on June 08, 2024 in Landover, Maryland.

American referee Joe Dickerson will be officiating tonight's match between Argentina and Guatemala, joined by fellow Americans Logan Brown (assistant 1), Meghan Muller (assistant 2), and Luis Arroyo (4th referee).

• Referee: Joe Dickerson (USA)
• Assistant 1: Logan Brown (USA)
• Assistant 2: Meghan Mullen (USA)
• 4th referee: Luis Arroyo (USA)

After coming off the bench in Argentina's 1-0 win over Ecuador at Soldier Field on Sunday, Lionel Messi is expected to start against Guatemala tonight.

In his pre-match press conference, coach Lionel Scaloni said he plans to let the Inter Miami star play for as long as possible: “Leo (Messi) will play from the start. If he can play the entire match, even better.”

The game will kick off at 8:00 PM (ET), with multiple options to watch or live stream Argentina-Guatemala in the US: Fubo (7-day free trial), FOX Deportes, Max, and truTV USA.

Welcome to our live blog of Argentina vs Guatemala!

In their last friendly before the 2024 Copa America in the USA, Lionel Messi and company will play Los Chapines in Washington.

From now on, stay with us as we'll bring you everything you need to know in the preview. Once the game gets underway, you will not miss anything here, as we'll be delivering by the minute updates!