Icardi, Dybala get off the mark for Argentina
Mauro Icardi and Paulo Dybala ended their waits for first international goals to help Argentina to a 2-0 win over Mexico in a friendly on Wednesday (AEDT).
Icardi scored in the second minute in Mendoza and Dybala sealed the win as Argentina made it back-to-back victories against Mexico this month.
Playing his eighth international game, Icardi broke his duck early, while Dybala came off the bench to net his first in 18 Argentina appearances.
Since the World Cup and with Scaloni at the helm on an interim basis, Argentina have won four of six matches, losing just once – to Brazil last month, and have done so without Lionel Messi.
Despite a much-changed line-up, Argentina was ahead inside two minutes.
Icardi did well to cushion down a long pass to Erik Lamela, who played in the Inter star before the forward cut inside and finished clinically for his first international goal.
Henry Martin's ambitious overhead kick was Mexico's first effort, while Lamela curled a shot wide in the 19th minute.
Victor Guzman put a 25-yard free-kick over the crossbar approaching half-time, although Argentina was looking the far more likely.
Lamela stung the palms of Mexico goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona with a free-kick early in the second half as the host looked to double its lead.
The visitor went close in the 69th minute, with debutant goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga making a good save to tip away a Jesus Gallardo header at the back post.
Guzman tested Gazzaniga again in the 85th minute, but Argentina sealed its win on the counter-attack.
Giovanni Simeone made a blistering run down the left before squaring for Dybala, who side-footed in his maiden international goal.