<![CDATA[ Argentina goleia Porto Rico na 'casa' de Messi ]]>

Reigning world champions Argentina, already qualified for the 2026 edition, thrashed Puerto Rico 6-0 on Tuesday in a friendly match held in Fort Lauderdale, United States.

At the home of Inter Miami, captain Lionel Messi's club, the game was a one-way street, with Alexis Mac Allister, in the 14th and 36th minutes, Gonzalo Montiel, in the 23rd, Steven Echevarria, in the 64th, in his own goal, and substitute Lautaro Martínez, in the 79th and 84th, scoring the goals for the South Americans.

Messi, who played his 195th game for the Argentine national team, was unable to increase his goal tally (114), but was involved in five - he only 'missed' the own goal - and provided assists for two, taking his tally to 61.

Also noteworthy are four absolute debuts in the 'albi-celeste' formation, José Manuel 'Flaco' Lopez, who was a starter, and Aníbal Moreno, both from Palmeiras, Lautaro Rivero (River Plate) and goalkeeper Facundo Cambeses (Racing Club).

Central defender Otamendi, Benfica's captain, started but came off at half-time.

Argentina's next game could be the Finals, between the South American and European champions, Spain, in March 2026, in a match that has not yet been officially confirmed.