Messi scores as Argentina rout UAE 5-0

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP):

Lionel Messi played the entire game in Argentina’s final World Cup warm-up and scored in a 5-0 rout of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday as the pre-tournament favourites stretched their unbeaten run to 36 games.

Messi scored his team’s fourth goal right before the break, having also set up Julián Álvarez to open the scoring in the 17th minute. Angel di Maria scored twice in-between.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni made four changes at half-time but opted against resting his star player, leaving Messi on for the full 90 minutes.

Inter Milan forward Joaquín Correa scored the visitors’ fifth goal at the hour mark.

Argentina start their World Cup tournament against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. They also face Mexico and Poland in Group C.

“We’re confident,” midfielder Rodrigo De Paul said. “But for many, it will be their first World Cup, so the first game will be very important.”