Argentina stroll to pre-World Cup win over Honduras

Argentina eased to a 2-0 victory against a lacklustre Honduras in the reigning champions' penultimate World Cup warm-up game in Texas on Saturday.

Lautaro Martínez and Giuliano Simeone scored the goals in a game dominated by the Albiceleste at College Station.

Lionel Messi was on the bench but not used by coach Lionel Scaloni as he nurses the superstar back to fitness for the World Cup group games after he suffered a hamstring injury on May 24.

A lethargic game burst into life on 37 minutes when Nicolás Tagliafico was fouled in the penalty area by Cristopher Meléndez and Inter Milan forward Martínez drove home the spot kick low to his left to make it 1-0 on 37 minutes.

The lively Martínez was the creator when Argentina doubled their lead on 54 minutes as his intelligent backheel set up Atlético Madrid's Simeone to fire past Honduras goalkeeper Edrick Menjivar.

In other highlights, Giovani Lo Celso hit the crossbar with a superb curling shot from outside the area in the first half and Tomás Aranda's second-half attempt was well saved by the Honduras 'keeper.

Honduras barely crossed the halfway line in the second half as Argentina exterted their dominance.

Scaloni said that despite playing some of his younger squad members, his team showed they have a solid identity as the defence of their crown approaches.

"Maybe it could have been done better, but as for the team's hallmark, its identity, I think it remains intact, and that's the most important thing. That's what we're looking for, in the end, not to break that identity," he said.

Argentina face Iceland in their final friendly match in Auburn, Alabama on Tuesday before the three-time winners begin their World Cup group games against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City.

Scaloni has indicated that Messi could play a small part in one of the friendlies, meaning an appearance against Iceland is likely.

Centre-back Balerdi out of World Cup

Argentina and Marseille central defender Leonardo Balerdi has been ruled out of the World Cup with a calf injury, the world champions have announced.

The 27-year-old has suffered a muscle injury in his right leg and will miss the World Cup, the Argentine Football Association (AFA), announced on social media, wishing the player a speedy recovery.

Balerdi, who had hoped to play in his first World Cup, posted a photo of himself training with the squad in Kansas City on social media on Friday.

Argentina have not yet named a replacement.

– TIMES/AFP

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