Argentina had to come from behind to beat Costa Rica 3-1 on Tuesday night at the Los Angeles Coliseum in a friendly match.
The Costa Rican Manfred Ugalde had surprisingly put Costa Rica ahead in the 32nd minute, but in the second half Argentina woke up and scored the tie through a great free kick goal from Ángel Di Maria in the 52nd minute, then Alexis Mac Allister equalized with a header at the fourth minutes later and Lautaro Martínez came off the bench to make it 3-1.
Lionel Scaloni’s team had beaten El Salvador 3-0 in Philadelphia last week and this was the second friendly match of their tour of the United States.
Argentina are in great form ahead of their Copa América title defense this summer, although Lionel Messi was absent from the team in both matches as he recovers from an injury in Miami.
Argentina had the blaon from the beginning but Keylor Navas was vital to keep their goal intact. The Tico goalkeeper made a great save in the 20th by stopping a strong shot from Alejandro Garnacho and then his defense blocked a countershot from Enzo Fernández.
A minute later Navas saved a solitary header from Giovani Lo Celso. That was the constant throughout the match and Costa Rica did not allow a greater number of goals thanks to the interventions of their goalkeeper.
Costa Rica went ahead at the least expected moment.
Argentine defender Nahuel Molina and Costa Rican forward Lassiter Acuña (11) compete for the ball during the first half of an international friendly soccer match on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
(Eric Thayer / Associated Press)
The Ticos defended as best they could when they had a lethal counterattack. Ugalde scored after a rebound from goalkeeper Walter Benítez after a shot from Alvaro Zamora and the rebound was found by Ugalde to score with the entire goal at his disposal.
Argentina turned the score around with a great free kick goal from the left wing by Di María in the 52nd minute and then Mac Allister scored 2-1 for the world champion with a header in the 56th minute after a corner kick.
Martínez came off the bench and scored 3-1 after an arrival from the left wing. The Inter striker had not scored with the Albiceleste since September 23, 2022 against Honduras in the 3-0 victory in Miami.
Argentine fans wait for an international friendly soccer match between Argentina and Costa Rica on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
(Eric Thayer / Associated Press)
Striker Paulo Dybala was also not available due to an adductor problem. Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios was also out due to injury.
Scaloni’s men have won eleven of the 12 matches they have played since becoming world champions. The only setback came last year, when they lost 2-0 at home to Uruguay.
Starting lineups:
Argentina: Walter Benítez, Nicolás Tagliafico, Nahuel Molina, Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez, Ángel Di María, Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso, Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolás Otamendi, Alexis Mac Allister.
Costa Rica: Keylor Navas, Fernan Faerron, Julio Cascante, Manfred Ugalde, Ariel Lassiter, Orlando Galo, Francisco Calvo, Brandon Aguilera, Alvaro Zamora, Hazel Quiros, Josimar Alcocer.