Late Banega and Lanzini strikes help Argentina win without Messi
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Italy’s Lorenzo Insigne in action with Argentina’s Manuel Lanzini Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Late goals from Ever Banega and Manuel Lanzini helped an Argentina side deprived of talisman Lionel Messi edge past Italy 2-0 at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on Friday.
With the Barcelona forward missing through a muscle problem, it was a game that saw plenty of profligate finishing in front of goal, with veteran goalkeepers Gianluigi Buffon and Willy Caballero excelling throughout.
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Argentina’s Manuel Lanzini scores their second goal REUTERS/Phil Noble
Italy custodian Buffon produced a string of fine saves in the first half as he denied Angel di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi and Gonzalo Higuain.
After the break, Caballero was the star as he twice denied Lorenzo Insigne before thwarting Ciro Immobile from close range.
Insigne then wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring after latching onto a short Leandro Paredes backpass, however he pulled his shot wide with the goal gaping.
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Argentina’s Ever Banega scores their first goal as Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon reacts REUTERS/Phil Noble
He was made to pay late on as substitute Banega danced through the Italy midfield before rifling in from the edge of the box left-footed.
With Italy chasing the game Argentina threatened on the counter as Buffon produced a wonderful save to deny Diego Perotti. However, the 40-year-old was helpless as Lanzini's stunning effort flew into the top corner five minutes from the end.
Argentina face Spain in Madrid on Tuesday at Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano, while Italy face England at Wembley.
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
(Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Stewards escort a fan off the pitch after he is given Argentina’s Willy Caballero's match gloves Action Images via Reuters/Carl RecineSoccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Argentina’s Manuel Lanzini celebrates scoring their second goal with Ever Banega REUTERS/Phil NobleSoccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Argentina’s Ever Banega celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Phil NobleSoccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Argentina’s Lucas Biglia in action with Italy’s Lorenzo Pellegrini Action Images via Reuters/Carl RecineSoccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Argentina’s Lucas Biglia in action with Italy’s Lorenzo Pellegrini Action Images via Reuters/Carl RecineSoccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain in action with Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci REUTERS/Phil NobleSoccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Referee Martin Atkinson during the match REUTERS/Phil NobleSoccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Italy’s Marco Verratti in action with Argentina’s Manuel Lanzini REUTERS/Phil NobleSoccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Referee Martin Atkinson during the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl RecineSoccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Referee Martin Atkinson during the match REUTERS/Phil NobleSoccer Football - International Friendly - Italy vs Argentina - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 23, 2018 Italy interim coach Luigi Di Biagio Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
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