Diego Simeone’s Son Scores in Argentina’s Win
Giovanni Simeone marked his debut with a goal as a Lionel Messi-less Argentina outclassed Guatemala 3-0 in an international friendly.
Messi was not included as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and Barcelona superstar reportedly considers his future following Argentina’s tumultuous World Cup campaign, which ended in the last 16.
Debutant Gonzalo Martinez, Giovani Lo Celso and Simeone – the son of Atletico Madrid head coach and former Argentina midfielder Diego – scored their maiden goals in a one-sided first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Argentina made the breakthrough approaching the half-hour mark thanks to Martinez, who stepped up and converted a penalty after Lo Celso’s shot struck the hand of Elias Vasquez.
It was one-way traffic as Lo Celso – on loan at Real Betis from French champions Paris Saint-Germain – made it 2-0 with a powerful and low effort from outside of the area.
Simeone got in on the act a minute before half-time after Guatemala were dispossessed and the 23-year-old stepped away from his opponent before firing a shot across goalkeeper Paulo Motta.
