Argentina beat Angola 2-0

Italy:

Maxi Rodriguez and Juan Pablo Sorin scored first-half goals in a nine-minute span on Tuesday to lead Argentina over fellow World Cup qualifier Angola 2-0 in a warmup match. Argentina also produced scoring chances in the second half but Rodriguez struck the crossbar and Pablo Aimar hit the post. Lionel Messi appeared as a substitute in the 63rd minute and proved fit and imaginative. The FC Barcelona teenager showed classy moves, and his shot on goal in the 88th curled wide. Messi, who injured his right thigh on March 7, had played only 20 minutes before Tuesday's friendly. Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo had the best scoring chances for Argentina within the first 20 minutes but kicked wide from short distance twice and was denied a goal by a great save from Joao Ricardo. Rodriguez scored the opening goal in the 29th with a right volley off a cross from Sorin. Sorin made it 2-0 in the 37th with the help of a deflection by Angola's Mateus Galiano. (AP)