LUANDA: Lionel Messi scored one goal and laid on another for Lautaro Martinez as Argentina defeated Angola 2-0 in a friendly in Luanda on Friday that marked 50 years of the independence for the hosts.
Messi’s pinpoint pass into the box from the right on 43 minutes was drilled into the back of the net by Martinez for his 36th international goal to give the visitors a halftime lead.
The same two players combined for the second goal seven minutes from the end when Martinez turned provider as Messi was played into space in the box and struck the ball low into the far corner. That took his tally of international goals to 115.
Argentina were enticed to play the match by a reported $12-million pay-day, with officials selling tickets to the 48,000-seater Estadio Nacional 11 de Novembro for $1.
The match is Argentina’s only fixture of the international window, while Angola look ahead to the start of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations where they are in a group with Egypt, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Messi, Martinez combine as Argentina sink Angola in Luanda
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Messi, Martinez combine as Argentina sink Angola in Luanda
- The same two players combined for the second goal seven minutes from the end
- Argentina were enticed to play the match by a reported $12-million pay-day
Pitching masterclass leads Mid East Falcons to series-saving win over Mumbai Cobras
- Abu Dhabi and India franchises will meet on Sunday night in Baseball United Season 1 championship-decider
DUBAI: Kazuki Yabuta struck out eight and allowed only four hits and one run in 6.1 innings, and Haru Yoshioka had a perfect 2.2 relief with seven strikeouts, including a Fire Ball strikeout to end the game, to give Mid East Falcons a 5-1 win over Mumbai Cobras and tie the United Series (1-1).
Gregori Cano went 2-for-3, with a solo home run in the third inning, and Munenori Kawasaki went 2-for-4 with one run scored and a one-run double that represented the beginning of Mid East’s four-run attack in the eighth inning.
Jake Hjelle went 1-for-3 with an RBI, which was the Falcons’ third run of the game. The other two runs came on consecutive walks with the Money Ball in play, resulting in two RBIs for Federico Celli.
On Sunday, Dec. 14, the third and final game of the United Series will take place at Baseball United Ballpark.
In other highlights, Chase Gearing took the loss after 3.1 innings of relief work, in which he allowed four hits, three earned runs, and two strikeouts.
Raul Shah went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, as the standout man in the Cobras offense.
Lord de Vera and Lou Helmig left three and two men on base, respectively, for a total of five at key moments in the game.
