Argentina 3-0 Honduras: Messi scores twice as Argentina extend unbeaten run
Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina produced a comfortable 3-0 win over Honduras to extend their unbeaten run to 34 games.
The 35-year-old was at the centre of the action for the opener, lobbing the ball over the defence to Papu Gomez, who gifted Lautaro Martinez a tap-in.
Messi doubled Argentina's goal tally with a coolly taken penalty.
The Paris St-Germain forward added a third with a superb chip over the keeper's head after a defensive mix-up.
Two-time World Cup champions Argentina, who are among favourites for this year's tournament, open their campaign in Qatar against Saudi Arabia on 22 November.
They play Jamaica on Wednesday in their final game before the tournament.
Line-ups
Argentina
Formation 4-3-3
12Rulli
21Molina6Pezzella2Li Martínez3Tagliafico
7de Paul5Paredes20Lo Celso
10Messi22La Martínez17Gómez
- 12Rulli
- 21Molina
- 6PezzellaSubstituted forPérezat 65'minutes
- 2Li Martínez
- 3Tagliafico
- 7de PaulSubstituted forMac Allisterat 72'minutes
- 5ParedesSubstituted forFernándezat 64'minutes
- 20Lo CelsoSubstituted forCorreaat 72'minutes
- 10Messi
- 22La MartínezSubstituted forÁlvarezat 45'minutes
- 17GómezSubstituted forAlmadaat 54'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Armani
- 4Montiel
- 8Almada
- 9Álvarez
- 11Di María
- 13Pérez
- 14Fernández
- 15Mac Allister
- 16Correa
- 18Rodríguez
- 19Medina
- 23E Martínez
Honduras
Formation 4-3-3
22López
2Santos15Maldonado3Meléndez19Elvir
5Arriaga20Flores16Castellanos
14Najar12Quioto11Rivas
- 22López
- 2SantosBooked at 43mins
- 15Maldonado
- 3Meléndez
- 19ElvirSubstituted forFloresat 82'minutes
- 5ArriagaSubstituted forMejíaat 76'minutes
- 20FloresBooked at 40mins
- 16CastellanosSubstituted forRosalesat 76'minutes
- 14NajarSubstituted forSolanoat 62'minutes
- 12QuiotoSubstituted forRóchezat 82'minutes
- 11RivasSubstituted forPalmaat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Menjívar
- 4Montes
- 6Rosales
- 7Solano
- 8Mejía
- 9Zúñiga
- 10Benavídez
- 13Mejía
- 17Palma
- 18Núñez
- 21Róchez
- 23Flores
Referee:Rubiel Vazquez
Attendance:64,420
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, Argentina 3, Honduras 0.
Second Half ends, Argentina 3, Honduras 0.
Corner, Honduras. Conceded by Nahuel Molina.
Foul by Nicolás Tagliafico (Argentina).
Edwin Solano (Honduras) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Offside, Argentina. Nahuel Molina tries a through ball, but Lionel Messi is caught offside.
Offside, Argentina. Enzo Fernández tries a through ball, but Lionel Messi is caught offside.
Attempt saved. Ángel Correa (Argentina) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt missed. Thiago Almada (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Attempt blocked. Joseph Rosales (Honduras) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Edwin Solano.
Foul by Enzo Fernández (Argentina).
Luis Palma (Honduras) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Offside, Argentina. Enzo Fernández tries a through ball, but Lionel Messi is caught offside.
Enzo Fernández (Argentina) hits the right post with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Julián Álvarez.
Substitution, Honduras. Bryan Róchez replaces Romell Quioto.
Substitution, Honduras. Franklin Flores replaces Omar Elvir.
Foul by Lisandro Martínez (Argentina).
Edwin Solano (Honduras) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Thiago Almada (Argentina).
Edwin Solano (Honduras) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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