Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez scored twice as Argentina beat Guatemala 4-1 in their final Copa America warm-up game in Maryland.
Argentina got an early scare when an own goal from Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez put Guatemala ahead after four minutes – their first goal against the reigning World Cup and Copa America champions.
But Messi equalized eight minutes later when goalkeeper Nicolas Hagen cleared the ball straight into his path and the Argentina captain fired into an empty net.
Lautaro Martinez, who finished as Serie A’s top scorer last season, put Argentina ahead with a penalty in the 39th minute, and the Inter Milan star scored his second from Messi’s pass after the break.
“We are aiming for the title, we are fighting for everything,” he told TiC Sports.
“We said that when the Copa America 2021 is over and when the World Cup is over, we will try to prepare to start the Copa America in the best possible way and hopefully it will all be a joy.”
Messi scored his second in the 77th minute after a great pass from substitute Angel Di Maria.
The tournament takes place in the United States from June 20 to July 14, with coach Lionel Scaloni’s side kicking off their campaign against Canada on Thursday before group games against Chile and Peru.
“We will keep trying to do our best, we still want to keep winning titles,” Messi added.
“It will be more and more difficult, the games are more and more difficult, it is difficult to win the Cup again, but we will try again.”