Nervy Argentina holds of Mauritania to win
Argentina edged to a nervy 2-1 win over Mauritania as Lionel Scaloni's side continued preparations for its FIFA World Cup title defence.
Goals from Enzo Fernandez and Nico Paz looked to be sending Argentina on its way to a routine win in Buenos Aires, but an inspired second-half performance from Mauritania saw the visitors almost snatch a draw against the world champion.
Argentina started on the front foot and made its breakthrough in the 17th minute. The Atletico Madrid pairing of Thiago Almada and Nahuel Molina combined on the right wing before the latter's low cross was turned in by Fernandez.
Ibrahima Keita sent a powerful first-time shot just wide of Emiliano Martinez's left post soon after, while Argentina doubled its advantage in the 32nd minute as Paz curled his free-kick into the bottom-right corner.
Lionel Messi was introduced at the break and almost got himself on to the scoresheet, with his shot whistling past the post, but that was Argentina's only shot after half-time as Mauritania stepped up its game.
Aboubakary Koita and Souleymane Anne both forced saves from Martinez, though Jordan Lefort managed to score with the final kick of the game in the 94th minute as he reacted quickest at the far post after a scramble in the box.
Scaloni made eight substitutions throughout the course of the game and handed out two debuts – to defenders Gabriel Rojas and Agustin Giay.
"It's true that the match was not good, that's the reality. But we drew a lot of conclusions," Scaloni said. "There are no easy opponents. Everything is useful preparation for what is coming.
"Concern in itself, no. There are things to correct, as always, and it is better that they happen now, to test us, so we see things.
"I spoke with Leo [Messi] about playing this match for a while and that [45 minutes off the bench] is what we decided.
"We didn't play a good game, that's pretty clear to me. This team can play much better, it's obvious. Individually, I am not going to go through the players one by one, but everyone played their part.
"It's true that when the team doesn't play a good game, it's difficult for you to save yourself. When the team plays well, everyone plays well, but in general, those who made their debuts – which is not easy – played their part."
Although there were plenty of familiar faces in Argentina's starting line-up on Friday, a number of new faces – including Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono and Como star Paz – have made an impression for the national team.
Chelsea midfielder Fernandez was one of Argentina's youngest starters when it won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and he will do everything he can to help the new faces settle in.
"I am very calm about this," Fernandez said. "Obviously every time I have the opportunity to talk to a new team-mate who comes, to support him, to give him confidence, to show everything he does at his club, I will.
"That is what makes up the national team, the union and the strength we have."
Argentina faces Zambia in another friendly on Wednesday (AEDT), as it builds towards its Group J opener against Algeria at the FIFA World Cup, which is set for Kansas City on 17 June (AEDT).
