Mauro Icardi, Paulo Dybala score maiden international goals as Argentina double over Mexico

Mauro Icardi scored within two minutes of play, while Paulo Dybala added another late as Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 for the Second time in a row at an international friendly in Mendoza on Tuesday.

Icardi, who was controversially left out of the 2018 World Cup squad, played a neat one-two with Erik Lamela to whiz past two Mexican defenders before firing a left-footer into the net to put Argentina ahead just minutes into the match.

Dybala then doubled the lead three minutes from time, finishing off a quick counter-attack after being set-up with a lovely ball from Giovanni Simeone, the son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego.

Incidentally, it was the first time both Icardi and Dybala have scored for their national team. Despite their prolific scoring record in the Serie A (Inter Milan and Juventus), the attacking duo have struggled to find the net for La Albicelste. It was Icardi’s maiden international goal in his eighth match, while Dybala broke the duck in his 18th appearance.

The 2-0 victory was Argentina’s second win over Mexico in four days following their triumph in Cordoba with a similar scoreline in the first match of the two friendlies.

It also meant that in his first six matches in charge as the interim head coach following the World Cup diaster, Lionel Scaloni has guided Argentina to four wins, a draw and a narrow defeat to rivals Brazil. The 1-0 defeat against the five-time world champions is also the only goal La Albiceleste has conceded post the 2018 World Cup.

Mexico meanwhile, had more of the ball possession and completed more number of passes, but failed to create enough chances. Their best opportunity to score came midway through the second half when Jesus Gallardo almost found the net with a point-blank header. But substitute Argentina goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga pulled off a brilliant save.

The defeat was Mexico’s fifth in six games (two consecutive against Argentina) ever since their World Cup last-16 loss to Brazil.