Comeback with no Messi; Argentina defeats Costa Rica 3-1 in a friendly

Argentina wins another friendly without Lionel Messi as the World Cup champions defeated Costa Rica 3-1 in Los Angeles, California. Messi was not available to either Argentina friendlies due to injury, and he is set to miss the next Inter Miami game in the MLS against New York City FC. Argentina were losing in the first half but a great second half led to them taking the win.

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Costa Rica made it difficult for Argentina to create any significant changes in the first half, and they were close to scoring early in the game. Costa Rica eventually took the lead in the 33rd minute as they countered Argentina. Manfred Ugalde dribbles from the middle of the pitch and passes the ball from Zamora. Zamora takes a shot on target, and Walter Benitez saves. His save falls to Ugalde, and he kicks the ball into the net. Costa Rica was leading 1-0 at halftime, and Argentina needed a big second half to get the win.

In the 51st minute, Argentina scored the equalizer as Angel Di Maria scored from a free kick. The free kick was just outside the box, and Di Maria sent the ball into the top right corner of the net past Keylor Navas. Only four minutes later, Argentina scored their second goal and completed the comeback. In the 55th minute, Argentina has a corner kick. Di Maria sends the ball into the box. Otamendi heads the ball wide, but Tagliafico, from close range, heads the ball onto the crossbar. The ball falls to Alexis Mac Allister and heads it into the net from close range to make it 2-1 for Argentina.

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Lautaro Martinez scores Argentina's third goal to seal the win

In the 76th minute, Argentina scored their third goal of the night as Rodrigo De Paul gave a great pass to Lautaro Martinez. Martinez dinks the ball over Navas, who dives to save the ball. Martinez scores for Argentina and gets his first for the national team since Septemeber 2022.