Slick Argentina hit Singapore for six
Updated 13/06/2017 at 15:00 GMT
International Friendly, National Stadium, Singapore – Singapore 0 Argentina 6 (Fazio 25, Correa 31, Gomez 60, Paredes 74, Alario 90, Di Maria 90+3)
Jorge Sampaoli enjoyed his second victory in as many matches as new Argentina boss as his side put six past a game, but overmatched, Singapore.
It took Argentina - minus the rested Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain - a while to get into their stride against a red wall of defence that were always going to put numbers behind the ball. But as soon as Federico Fazio waltzed in unopposed to sidefoot the ball home from the corner, the match was never in doubt.
Joaquin Correa doubled Argentina’s lead before the break, again tapping home following a set piece and the visitors then turned on the style.
The excellent Alejandro Gomez capped a fine performance with a thunderous third and sub Leandro Paredes curled home a superb fourth on debut. Two further goals from Lucas Alario and Angel di Maria in injury time was tough on a weary Singapore, who will have learned much for their Asia Cup matches to come.
For Argentina, tougher tests await in their stuttering World Cup qualification campaign. But they will surely arrive to face Uruguay in Montevideo in a more confident frame of mind.
TALKING POINT
Did we really learn anything? Watching this match was like watching Manchester City face a League Two side in the FA Cup. Yes, they looked mighty impressive, but what else could we have expected. Uruguay won’t be overawed on their home turf.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Alejandro Gomez (Argentina): Capped a wonderful display with a fine goal. Broke forward with menace, his crosses and passing creating havoc in the Singapore box. Little wonder he has 16 goals and 10 assists in Serie A for Atalanta.
PLAYER RATINGS
Singapore: Sunny 7, Hamzah 6, Hameed 6, Bennett 6, Fandi 6, Nazari 6, Harun 7, Baharudin 6, Nizam 7, Arifin 6, Sujad 6. SUBS: Mahbud 6, Sulieman 6, Ishak 6, Mustafic 6, Ramli 6, Shafiq 6.
Argentina: Guzman 6, Fazio 7, Mammana 6, Acuna 6, Biglia 6, Salvio 6, Gomez 9, Lanzini 6, Dybala 7, Di Maria 8, Correa 7. SUBS: Banega 6, Alario 7, Paredes 7, Fernandez 6.
KEY MOMENTS
25’ – GOAL! Singapore 0-1 Argentina: Gomez swings in the corner and Fazio flicks home his first international goal.
31’ – GOAL! Singapore 0-2 Argentina: And it’s another from the corner, Dybala drilling the ball across for Correa to slot home.
60’ – GOAL! Singapore 0-3 Argentina: It’s a blockbusting strike from Gomez from just outside the box, rocketing low and hard into the back of the net.
72’ – POST! Paredes lines up a shot from distance and it clatters back off the post with the sub keeper well beaten!
74’ – GOAL! Singapore 0-4 Argentina: A lovely run and curling shot into the far corner from Paredes. Game, set, match. Had been for a while.
90’ – GOAL! Singapore 0-5 Argentina: Alario latches onto a long ball to smash home.
90+3’ – GOAL! Singapore 0-6 Argentina: Di Maria gets his goal as Fernandez unselfishly rolls it across for him to slam home.
KEY STATS
- Jorge Sampaoli has two wins from two matches as Argentina coach
- Federico Fazio scores his first international goal
- Leandro Paredes scores on his Argentina debut
Join 3M+ users on app
Download
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement