Messi helps Argentina win big

Ghi ban: Alvarez 17', Di Maria 25' & 36', Messi 44', Correa 60'.

The friendly match with the host UAE is Argentina's last rehearsal before the World Cup. Although often accompanied by at least two opposing players, Messi still left his mark when creating the opening goal, then scoring at the end of the first half.

The UAE defended well for the first 15 minutes, before conceding a goal from Argentina's counter-attack. Messi picked a good position, breaking the offside trap, before passing a cross to let Julian Alvarez finish into an empty goal.

Argentina, with almost the strongest squad, dominated in the first half with 69% possession and six shots on target. Four of them became goals. Eight minutes after Alvarez's opening goal, Angel Di Maria volleyed into the home net, making it 2-0. In the 36th minute, the same former Man Utd player dribbled past a series of UAE defenders and goalkeepers, scoring the third goal for Argentina.

Di Maria's perfect first half ended with an assist for Messi in the 44th minute. After a shake-up over the UAE defender, the Argentina captain crossed the corner with his right foot to make it 4-0. The home audience stood up and applauded after this goal.

Argentina made five substitutions in the second half, but Messi was kept on the field. The leisurely away team still got another goal thanks to Angel Correa in the 60th minute, after an assist from Rodrigo De Paul.

The 5-0 victory over the opponent ranked 70th on the FIFA scoreboard helps Argentina have a good psychological momentum before entering the World Cup. Messi and his teammates will start their campaign in Qatar with a match against Saudi Arabia on November 22. In the next two matches in Group C, Argentina will face Mexico and Poland, respectively.