Experimental Argentina cruise to 2-0 win over Mexico

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Mexico - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina - November 16, 2018 Mexico's Alan Pulido in action with Argentina's Giovani Lo Celso REUTERS/Gustavo Garello

CORDOBA, Argentina (Reuters) - A first-half header from defender Ramiro Funes Mori and a second half own goal from substitute Isaac Brizuela gave an experimental Argentina side a 2-0 win over Mexico in a friendly in Cordoba on Friday.

The Villareal centre half opened the scoring a minute before half time when he got his head to a Paulo Dybala free kick as Mexican defenders stood back and watched.

Then Brizuela, who had replaced Miguel Layun only three minutes earlier, put through his own net eight minutes from time to seal a deserved win for the home side.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Mexico - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina - November 16, 2018 Mexico's Miguel Layun in action with Argentina's Leandro Paredes REUTERS/Gustavo Garello

Both teams were led by interim coaches and Argentina were once again without Lionel Messi, who took a sabbatical from international football after the World Cup finals in Russia.

But it was Lionel Scaloni, in charge after Jorge Sampaoli's short stint ended with a disappointing World Cup, who came out on top to record his third win in five games and his fourth clean sheet.

Scaloni handed debuts to Spurs defender Juan Foyth and Velez Sarsfield midfielder Gaston Gimenez and was delighted with the performances of what was a young and experimental side that included the return of Erik Lamela after injury.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Mexico - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina - November 16, 2018 Mexico players look dejected after the match REUTERS/Gustavo Garello

"I am very happy because some players were able to make their debuts today," Scaloni said. "They are adding something and important things come along with them. The young lads have to know that the jersey carries a weight."

Argentina and Mexico meet again in Mendoza on Tuesday.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Mexico - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina - November 16, 2018 Mexico's Miguel Layun in action with Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico REUTERS/Gustavo Garello

(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Ian Ransom)

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Mexico - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina - November 16, 2018 Argentina players at half time REUTERS/Gustavo Garello

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Mexico - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina - November 16, 2018 Argentina's Ramiro Funes Mori celebrates after scoring their first goal REUTERS/Gustavo Garello

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Mexico - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina - November 16, 2018 Mexico's Angel Zaldivar in action with Argentina's Ramiro Funes Mori REUTERS/Gustavo Garello

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Mexico - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina - November 16, 2018 Argentina players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Gustavo Garello

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Mexico - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina - November 16, 2018 Mexico's Alan Pulido in action with Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico REUTERS/Gustavo Garello

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Mexico - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina - November 16, 2018 Mexico's Luis Rodriguez in action with Argentina's Lautaro Martinez REUTERS/Gustavo Garello

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Mexico - Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Cordoba, Argentina - November 16, 2018 Mexico's Miguel Layun in action with Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico REUTERS/Gustavo Garello