A first-half header from defender Ramiro Funes Mori and a second-half own goal from substitute Isaac Brizuela gave Argentina a 2-0 win over Mexico in a friendly in Cordoba on Friday.
The Villareal centre-half opened the scoring a minute before half time when he got his head to a Paulo Dybala free kick as Mexican defenders stood back and watched.
Then Brizuela, who had replaced Miguel Layun only three minutes earlier, put through his own net eight minutes from time to seal a deserved win for the home side.
Both teams were led by interim coaches and Argentina were once again without Lionel Messi, who took a sabbatical from international football after the World Cup finals in Russia this summer.
But it was Lionel Scaloni, who took charge after Jorge Sampaoli’s short stint ended with a disappointing World Cup performance, who came out on top to record his third win in five games and his fourth clean sheet.
“I am very happy because some players were able to make their debuts today,” Scaloni said. “They are adding something and important things come along with them. The young lads have to know that the jersey carries a weight.”
Argentina and Mexico meet again in Mendoza on Tuesday.