Argentina Secures Victory in Los Angeles International Friendly
Angel Di Maria, Alexis Mac Allister, and Lautaro Martinez Propel Argentina to a 3-1 Win Over Costa Rica
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Argentina rallied from behind to clinch a 3-1 victory against Costa Rica in an international friendly held at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The absence of injured captain Lionel Messi didn’t deter the South American champions, who concluded their two-match tour of the United States on a high note.
Under the guidance of coach Lionel Scaloni, Argentina showcased their dominance throughout the match, particularly in the first half, where they created several scoring opportunities. However, it was Costa Rica who struck first on the 34th minute mark, capitalizing on a swift counter-attack. Alvaro Zamora seized upon Manfred Ugalde’s pass and unleashed a shot that was initially blocked by Argentina goalkeeper Walter Benitez. Yet, Ugalde pounced on the rebound, putting Costa Rica ahead 1-0.
Undeterred by the setback, Argentina roared back in the second half, with veteran Angel Di Maria delivering a spectacular equalizer in the 52nd minute. The 36-year-old Benfica winger displayed his mastery with a stunning free-kick from just outside the penalty area, leaving Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas with no chance.
Argentina’s momentum continued as they seized the lead just four minutes later from a set-piece opportunity. Nicolas Tagliafico’s header rattled the crossbar from a corner kick, only for Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister to react swiftly and head home the rebound, extending Argentina’s lead to 2-1.
The victory was sealed in the 77th minute when Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez capitalized on a sublime through ball from Rodrigo De Paul, deftly lifting the ball over Navas to make it 3-1 in favor of Argentina.
With this impressive performance, Argentina concludes their American tour with two consecutive victories, reaffirming their status as a formidable force in international football.