UAE vs Argentina LIVE REACTION: Lionel Messi SCORES & Di Maria grabs brace in World Cup warm-up game – latest updates
ARGENTINA won their World Cup warm-up friendly against UAE, beating the Middle Eastern outfit 5-0.
Julian Alvarez, Angel Di Maria (2), Lionel Messi and Joaquin Correa all got themselves on the scoresheet.
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That's all from Abu Dhabi
Argentina absolutely dominated in their World Cup warm-up against the United Arab Emirates at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The Albiceleste opened the scoring after just 17 minutes with Manchester City star Julian Alvarez during a counter-attack that saw Lionel Messi setting the striker up in front of Khalid Eisa.
The visitors doubled their lead just eight minutes later with Angel Di Maria’s stunner.
Marcos Acuna’s pinpoint cross from the left found Di Maria at the far post and the Juventus star delivered an immediate volley that gave Eisa no chance.
Argentina appeared to have put the game to bed in the 36th minute when Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister set Di Maria up inside the area and the winger dribbled past a UAE defender and the goalkeeper to score a brace.
Messi netted the fourth with a clinical shot just one minute before half-time after a beautiful through ball by Di Maria.
And Joaquin Correa scored Argentina’s fifth in the hour-mark after a fine through ball by Rodrigo de Paul.
That's all from us here at SunSport, have a great evening!
Credit: GETTY Messi targets milestone
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has won everything throughout his celebrated 17-year career.
Messi recently ended one of his international hoodoos after winning the Copa America last year.
That was the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's first ever trophy with the Argentinean national team.
There's only one major honour that has been eluding him in the last two decades and that is the World Cup.
And this year's tournament in Qatar poses as his last chance at 35 years old
Credit: GETTY What's next for Argentina?
Argentina are now fully focused on the 2022 World Cup after their warm-up victory over the United Arab Emirates.
The Albiceleste are set for their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday,
Lionel Scaloni's men will then face Mexico on Saturday in what promises to be a crunch clash.
Argentina will then clash against Poland on November 30
UAE vs Argentina Stats
Argentina dominated 61 per cent of possession throughout the match.
The Albiceleste registered a total of 15 shots, seven of which were on target.
United Arab Emirates, on the other hand, produced nine shots, a third of which were on target.
More below:
FT: UAE 0-5 Argentina
Argentina absolutely dominated in their World Cup warm-up against the United Arab Emirates at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The Albiceleste opened the scoring after just 17 minutes with Manchester City star Julian Alvarez during a counter-attack that saw Lionel Messi setting the striker up in front of Khalid Eisa.
The visitors doubled their lead just eight minutes later with Angel Di Maria's stunner.
Marcos Acuna's pinpoint cross from the left found Di Maria at the far post and the Juventus star delivered an immediate volley that gave Eisa no chance.
Argentina appeared to have put the game to bed in the 36th minute when Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister set Di Maria up inside the area and the winger dribbled past a UAE defender and the goalkeeper to score a brace.
Messi netted the fourth with a clinical shot just one minute before half-time after a beautiful through ball by Di Maria.
And Joaquin Correa scored Argentina's fifth in the hour-mark after a fine through ball by Rodrigo de Paul
Credit: GETTY FT: UAE 0-5 Argentina
Peep!
That's full-time in Abu Dhabi!!!
UAE 0-5 Argentina
90 One more minute of stoppage time to go.
Argentina are looking good ahead of the World Cup
UAE 0-5 Argentina
88 We are close to full-time and whatever stoppage time is left.
Do Argentina have a sixth goal left in the bag?
UAE 0-5 Argentina
85 Five more minutes to go before full-time and UAE are running out of energy for that consolation.
Incredible performance Martinez in goal, but the Albiceleste's defence have raised some doubt ahead of the World Cup
UAE 0-5 Argentina
82 What a chance!
Argentina's defenders become careless and Canedo finds himself in front of open goal but his shot is blocked by Pezzella!
Martinez saved a close-range shot by Saleh in the build-up
UAE 0-5 Argentina
80 We're only 10 minutes away from full-time and Argentina are still looking for a sixth.
Every player from the host team is looking to convince manager Scaloni they deserve a place int he starting line-up ahead of the World Cup
UAE 0-5 Argentina
78 Substitution
UAE manager Arruabarrena makes a double change as Saleh and Hussain come on for Abdullah and Dhanhani
UAE 0-5 Argentina
78 Chance
Argentina captain Messi takes on a free-kick but just misses Eisa's top right corner
UAE 0-5 Argentina
77 Yellow card
Hassan becomes the first UAE ace to be booked after a foul on Correa
UAE 0-5 Argentina
75 Substitution
Argentina manager Scaloni introduces Rodriguez, who replaces Paredes
UAE 0-5 Argentina
72 Chance
Argentina captain Messi tries a long-range shot from the edge of the box but just misses the crossbar
UAE 0-5 Argentina
70 UAE are desperate for a consolation goal before full-time.
The crowd is really pushing them for one but Martinez really wants that clean sheet
UAE 0-5 Argentina
69 Chance!
UAE come extremely close to a consolation with Canedo who picks up a low cross by Jamil but his tap in just misses Martinez's bottom right corner
UAE 0-5 Argentina
68 Argentina have slowed down in the last few minutes.
But it constantly looks dangerous for UAE regardless
UAE 0-5 Argentina
65 Substitution
UAE manager Arruabarrena brings on Suroor and Rashid, who replace Saleh and Hamad respectively
UAE 0-5 Argentina
62 Chance!
UAE try to immediately respond but send the ball out for a free-kick.
Al Dhanhani plays Canedo through with a clever ball downt he right but the latter can't beat Martinez from a tight corner and sends it over the crossbar
UAE 0-5 Argentina
60 When are Argentina planning to stop...?
De Paul plays Correa through and the striker has no problem beating Eisa despite the slight pressure from defenders inside the box
UAE 0-5 Argentina
Goal!
Correa makes it five for Argentina!!!
UAE 0-4 Argentina
58 Yellow card
And we have the first booking of the match with Lisandro Martinez getting a yellow card.
The Man Utd star floors Canedo and then delivers a couple of kicks in his bid to regain the ball
UAE 0-4 Argentina
55 Messi provides immense danger during counter-attacks as he delivers wonderful through balls to Correa and Molina.
The PSG superstar is really finding his groove ahead of the 2022 World Cup