Messi and Martinez give Argentina a 4-1 win over Guatemala in pre-Copa friendly

Argentine forward Lionel Messi (10) shoots the ball in the first half against Guatemala at Commanders Field. Mandatory credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) – Doubles from Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 4-1 win against Guatemala in their final Copa America warm-up on Friday.

Guatemala took an early lead with their first ever goal against the World Cup winners thanks to Lisandro Martinez’s own goal after a set piece just four minutes into the match.

Lionel Messi equalized eight minutes later when goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen fired the ball straight into the path of the Argentina captain, who scored into an empty net.

Lautaro Martinez, Serie A’s top scorer this season, put Argentina ahead in the 39th minute with a penalty before scoring his second goal after half-time after a pass from Messi.

“We are aiming for the title, we are fighting for everything,” Martinez told TyC Sports.

“We said it when the Copa America ended in 2021 and when the World Cup ended, we will try to prepare to start the Copa America in the best possible way and hopefully it will all be joy.”

Messi, 36, got his double in the 77th minute after a superb pass from substitute Angel Di Maria sealed victory for the reigning Copa America champions.

The Copa America runs from June 20 to July 14 in the United States. Lionel Scaloni’s side kick off their Group A campaign against Canada on Thursday before taking on Chile on June 25 and Peru four days later.

“We keep trying to do our best, we still want to keep winning titles,” Messi said. “It will become more and more difficult. The matches will become tougher. Winning (the Copa) again is difficult, but we will try again.”