No one seems in any hurry to overextend themselves out on the pitch anymore. Argentina have had two chances to advance the ball into the box with a direct run or two, but they eschew such an approach in favor of some slow passes in the opposition half.
86'
R. Winchester enters the game and replaces J. Jones.
Another sub for Trinidad and Tobago as Joein Jones departs and Rundell Winchester enters the fray. Winchester was rumored to and even appeared on a few pre-match starting lineups, but he has about four minutes plus injury time to make himself a memory here.
84'
Argentina, in Group F in the World Cup, will face a team from Group E provided they progress to the round of 16. Switzerland, Ecuador, Honduras and especially France are hardly chopped liver, but the Albiceleste would fancy their chances on paper against that crop.
82'
The ball is worked out wide to Rodriguez, who looks the freshest of the players on the pitch. However Hoyte, Gavin that is, keeps up with him admirably and doesn't fall for his trickery. He slides to the turf to block the ball out for a corner, which is then easily dealt with by T&T.
80'
The fire is just starting to die out of this game as Argentina seem content to sit on this three goal lead, while Trinidad are finally starting to feel it after an exhausting effort all game. Their next match, against Carlos Quieroz's Iran team in four days, may offer more of an even battle. Looks like Stephen Hart is making the most out of this trip to South America!
78'
MESSI OFFSIDE! A narrow, but ultimately correct call on the Barca man! From a throw in, the Albiceleste work the ball over the top for Messi, but he just inches ahead of the last defender. He looked well set to beat Williams to the ball too, as the keeper was slow off his line!
77'
W. Plaza enters the game and replaces K. Jones.
76'
A. Fernández enters the game and replaces R. Palacio.
More subs in the offing, as Kenwyne Jones puts an end to a hard and often thankless evening's work. He jogs off to be replaced by Plaza. Sabella takes the opportunity to make another change, as the energetic Palacio departs the match for Fernandez.
74'
So the Hoyte brothers line up together in the centre of the Soca Warriors' defence. Arsenal fans may remember both players from their time at the Gunners, though it never quite worked out for them in north London. Justin managed 34 appearances in his Gunners career, which was mostly spent out on loan, while younger brother Gavin only managed a solitary senior Arsenal game.
Minute
Description
72'
E. Pérez gets yellow.
Mascherano's race is run, after a quality game, where he found himself involved in a few attacks, most notably his stabbed finish for the second and a long ball over the top that initiated Argentina's third goal. Ricky Alvarez comes on, and Trinidad respond with a double change of their own, swapping Boucaud and Mitchell for Hoyte and George.
71'
K. George enters the game and replaces A. Boucaud.
G. Hoyte enters the game and replaces C. Mitchell.
70'
R. Álvarez enters the game and replaces J. Mascherano.
PEREZ FLASHES IT WIDE! Messi attracts defenders like flies to a cow's arse, and with four red shirts draped around him, he pivots and squares it to the substitute on the top of the box. Perez snatches at the shot, but he cannot find the target! Great position to test the keeper.
68'
Some real noise being made by the Trinidad Riddim Section in the stands, which has been rumbling in the background of this game, but kicked it up a notch in the last few minutes. This seems to have calmed their players down, as they aren't taking as many risks at the back anymore.
66'
ANOTHER CHANCE! And another impossibly clear opening for the Albiceleste! Trinidad are starting to make it too easy for them, as Messi has the freedom of El Monumental on the left side of the box. He shapes up to curl it with his left foot into the far corner, but Williams spreads himself EXCELLENTLY to make the save!
64'
M. Rodríguez has scored a goal for Argentina! Assist by R. Palacio.
The defence of Trinidad and Tobago were caught out completely, camped unforgivably high up the field. Palacio uses that to his advantage, sprinting past the lot of them onto Mascherano's ball over the top, touching it past Williams and doing just enough to hold it on the byeline and tee up Rodriguez for the easy finish.
63'
E. Pérez enters the game and replaces Á. Di María.
Argentina counter that with a sub of their own. Off goes Di Maria, who has been excellent all game. His speed in attack and his workrate in defence were key in asserting Argentina's dominance throughout. On comes Enzo Perez, who plays for Benfica, but missed the recent Europa League final with suspension.
IT'S 3-0!
61'
And as soon as I say that, Trinidad coach Stephen Hart pulls the first card out of his deck, replacing Guerra with Kevin Molino. Some fresh legs in midfield for the 23-year-old, who plays his club football in the United States for Orlando City.
60'
K. Molino enters the game and replaces A. Guerra.
Approaching the hour here and still no changes for Trinidad and Tobago, who have run their socks off from the first whistle. But you won't find many eager volunteers in red that want to exit this match early. One of the highest-profile fixtures in the country's history this.
58'
Messi in full flight advances through the midfield from the left flank. However, the return pass from Di Maria is lacking, and Mitchell can boot it clear. The Barcelona star has been involved and invested throughout, after recent criticism of him becoming too static in his play and waiting for the game to come to him.
56'
M. Rodríguez enters the game and replaces E. Lavezzi.
Trinidad and Tobago, with a population of just over 1 million and one of the lowest population growth rates in the world, are the smallest ever nation to make a World Cup finals, reaching the 2006 edition in Germany. That tournament was also blessed with one of the World Cup goals of all time, a stunning chested volley from the edge of the box by Maxi Rodriguez - who incidentally has just entered the fray.
54'
The gaps are appearing all over the Soca Warriors' rearguard now. Di Maria just overplays a layoff into the heart of the box that was spelling real danger for Trinidad for just a second. Argentina have the lead, a solid one, and they're not likely to relinquish it now.
52'
Mascherano is three goals away from a century of appearances for the national side, and he's just nabbed his third goal in Albiceleste colours. It was a stroke of fortune for him to be in position to poke that home, but the quailty of Messi's free kick would suggest that Argentina made their own luck.
51'
J. Mascherano has scored a goal for Argentina!
Messi does brilliantly from the free kick! From the left side of the D at the top of the box, he curls the ball with his south paw towards the far corner. It cracks off the post with a thud, and poor Williams can only watch, hopelessly out of position as Mascherano stabs the rebound into an empty net!
50'
MESSI CLOSELINED! Right at the top of the Trinidad box, the Argentine was cynically hacked to the turf before he was able to wriggle into shooting space. A howl goes up from the stands, but the on-pitch protests are strangely muted. A booking follows for Mitchell, and a good free kick position...
ARGENTINA SCORE AGAIN!
49'
C. Mitchell gets yellow.
48'
Some new names introduced in this second half. Lucas Biglia, the former Anderlecht man, now of Lazio, takes the field in place of Fernando Gago. Also introduced is Jose Maria Basanta, who plays for Monterray in Mexico. He replaced Demichelis, who made that excellent challenge in the first half against Jones.
46'
J. Basanta enters the game and replaces M. Demichelis.
L. Biglia enters the game and replaces F. Gago.
Here we go again!
45' +2
That's half time folks!
45' +1
R. Palacio has scored a goal for Argentina! Assist by Á. Di María.
MESSI WITH A MISS FOR THE AGES! Di Maria latches onto a through pass down the left hand side and is completely clear of the defence AND Williams in goal. About three blue shirts are lining up hungrily to apply the finish, and Di Maria picks out Messi for the honours. But somehow, with the goal gaping, he sidefoots over the bar from almost on the goalline!
NO MATTER! PALACIO SCORES!
You have to feel for Trinidad, who surely thought that they had done enough to see the stalemate through to half time. But from the resulting corner, Di Maria's delivery is met by the head of Palacio. Williams parries, but not entirely convincingly, and he can only claw thin air as the ball bobbles back into the net!
45'
Trinidad have had themselves a few corners in this first half, and they come close to getting a good connection on their latest delivery. Two men in red shirts go up for the ball, but none come down with any contact on the ball. They have to improve on their threat from those positions.
43'
Guerra makes a good off the ball run to latch onto a short free kick in the Argentina half. For one second, he looks to have had a clean run at Romero in the Argentina goal, but look who's back defending! Palacio plants his body between the ball and the man and successfully shepherds it away from danger.
41'
TRINIDAD SURVIVE THREE TIMES! The men from the Caribbean emerge unscathed from a concentrated Argentine offensive! Palacio has a tester from 18 yards parried by Williams, before on the next attack, Bateau clears the ball ahead of Lavezzi onto his own crossbar, with the rebound blasted wide! Smiles all around for T&T as they know they rode their luck there!
39'
Hyland became Trinidad's second booking of the game a minute or so ago thanks to another meaty challenge, this time on Gago, before Argentina launch another attack, with Mascherano missing a crack at the top corner from the top of the box. Not that far away...
37'
K. Hyland gets yellow.
DEMICHELIS HAS TO REACT! Trinidad with a scintillating counter attack that catches Argentina and Fernandez woefully out of position. The athletic Jones is freed behind the defence, racing towards a through ball but look at this! The much maligned Manchester City man races ahead of Jones to slide the ball out of play!
35'
AGAIN, ARGENTINA MISS FROM POINT BANK RANGE! Trinidad are starting to live on borrowed time. Another sweeping attack that displays the speed and verve in the Argentina attack. Di Maria launches a looping ball towards the back post that is headed back cutely into the six yard area by Palacio, but Lavezzi hacks at the finish from in close!
33'
Trinidad's line is inching dangerously high now, as they seek to get something going in attack. The consequence of that higher pressure though is an increasingly cavernous gap being allowed in behind the back four, which is mincemeat for runners like Lavezzi and Palacio.
31'
CHANCES AT BOTH ENDS! Campagnaro has to react within a split second to clear a dangerous dropping ball that, had he not intervened, would have surely been lapped up by Jones! Down at the other end, a slip at the back allows Palacio clean through down the right hand side, but Messi skies his eventual tee-up over the bar!
29'
Delay in the game here as Kenwyne Jones is down on the deck with what looks like a head injury. The referee stopped the game immediately, as is increasingly the case across all sports whenever any potential problems arise on that part of the body. He's soon good to go though.
27'
Boucaud is the first man to get his name taken, and to be honest, it's been coming for Trinidad and Tobago. They've certainly showed no fear in the challenge, going in hard on a few against the opposition. And on that foul against Gago, the referee has enough.
26'
A. Boucaud gets yellow.
25'
TOO QUICK FOR PALACIO! A random deflection from Boucaud takes the ball skipping into the skies, and had it landed in position, the Inter striker may have well been in! As it were though, the ball bounced over the byeline, thankfully for Williams, who would have been caught up a creek without a paddle had Argentina kept that in.
23'
HESITATION! A speculative shot from Hyland is suddenly nicked a lot closer to goal than it's original position. Romero watches it go out nervously for a corner, and there are a few dirty looks in the Argentine ranks as to how that chance was allowed to happen. No matter though, as Trinidad waste the corner.
21'
Trinidad are still penned back in their own half, but apart from that last snafu, they've looked rather comfortable defending against the imperious names in blue shirts. It remains to be seen whether they can marry that deep defensive line to a few quick counter attacks to exploit Argentina's commitment of bodies forward.
19'
SIDE NETTING! And he should hold his head in his hands! Bateau makes a big ham hock out of a routine headed clearance, completely mistiming his jump and missing the ball. This allows Lavezzi in behind the backline for a one-on-one with Williams, but he shanks it! Into the side netting it goes, instead of on target or towards the waiting Messi in support.
17'
Not a whole lot of action to report in the last few minutes, but at least the fans are having a good time. Loud and regular chanting booms around El Monumental, occasionally broken up by smatterings of applause and feverish screams from the tiny Trinidad contingent in the stands.
15'
A deep free kick some 40 yards from goal is presided over by Messi, It's a little far and ambitious for him to have a go on goal himself, but he's got comrades in blue lining up in the box to get on the end of it. However, his eventual delivery is met first by Williams, who shows exemplary command of his area once again to punch clear.
13'
A lovely hesitation move from Lavezzi on the right hand side sees him pas his marker and towards an inch of space before the byeline. He elects to clip in a forceful cross towards the far post, but Williams springs lightly to pluck the ball out of the air.
11'
SHOULD HAVE BEEN 1-0! A sweeping counter attack from the Albiceleste sees Lavezzi turn on his jet heels down the left flank. Trinidad can't live with him, and he uses the space that he earned to square to Messi inside the area, but Leo's first time finish bounces the wrong side of Williams' post!
9'
At the third time of asking, the Soca Warriors elect to hook a searching ball into the box, but Fernandez is the man to get his head to the ball first. You get the feeling that set pieces will be a key route forward for the Caribbean side - Argentina have had their problems defending the dead ball in the recent past.
7'
Trinidad and Tobago are starting to advance the ball out of their own half, with most of the play concentrated down the right hand side. Two careless free kicks given away by Gago allow the visitors the chance to pump the ball into the box, but they eschew that option for the short pass.
5'
NOT A BAD LOOK! A great ball into the centre of the pitch frees Messi just at the top of the box but, in a sign of things to come, three red shirts crowd out the Barcelona man before he can get a clean sight at Jan-Michael Williams' goal. He's in for a busy night, the T&T keeper.
3'
No surprise to see Argentina dominating almost all of the early possession. La Albiceleste have had the ball camped deep in the Trinidad half from pretty much since the first whistle. The Soca Warriors have already got all 10 outfield players behind the ball.
1'
Bang, we're off!
Greetings one and all, and welcome to Argentina's World Cup warmup against Trinidad and Tobago at El Monumental. I'm Keeghann Sinanan, your designated scribe, bringing you the blow-by-blow action.
In fact, Argentina are one of the heavy favourites to take the prize in the Maracana come July. Lionel Messi and Co. stormed into this year's World Cup on top of the Conmebol qualifying table, taking 32 points from 16 games, scoring 35 goals and suffering only two defeats. Although, the cynic in me would say that their first place finish was boosted by the automatic exclusion of hosts Brazil from the qualifying process.
It wasn't such a happy go lucky story for Trinidad and their hopes to get into the World Cup finals though. The Soca Warriors crashed out of the convoluted Concacaf qualifying process at the second stage back in 2011. They haven't stood idly by watching from the sidelines though, as T&T reached the final of the 2012 Caribbean Cup (losing to Cuba), and the last eight of the Concacaf Gold Cup.
Trinidad and Tobago made the World Cup finals for the first and only time in 2006. The Soca Warriors, then led by Leo Beenhakker, exited the tournament at the group stage, but claimed a celebrated point against Sweden, while riding England all the way during a 2-0 defeat. T&T football has never quite managed to reach that high again, but tonight's game brings them back into the international spotlight.
Perhaps the most familiar name in the Trinidad and Tobago XI to fans is striker Kenwyne Jones. The target man has been a regular for many English Premier League clubs throughout his career. Despite being relegated last season while on the books of Cardiff City, a lot still rests on the lanky frame of the T&T man.
Argentina are ahead and look good value for their lead. Despite a sometimes admirable defensive effort from the Caribbean side, la Albiceleste have created by far the best chances. And after a few gilt edged near misses that surely left a few wondering if the Trinidad goal was blessed, Palacio headed the hosts into the lead with the last kick of the half. Stay tuned for the restart in just a bit.
This is the first of two warm up friendlies left for la Albiceleste before they kick things off in Brazil in just over a week. Argentina will also face Slovenia on June 7, a match which is geared at preparing them for their upcoming group clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina. With Iran and Nigeria also rounding out Group F, it's hard to see past Alejandro Sabella's men taking top spot.
The big news from the hosts' camp is the inclusion of Lionel Messi in the starting XI. The Argentina talisman struggled with fitness all of last season, but he gets a run out here with the World Cup just over a week away. Also interesting will be the inclusion of Angel Di Maria as the most advanced of a midfield three. A lot will rest on the shoulders of Fernando Gago and Javier Mascherano to provide the Real Madrid man with the defensive security to weave his magic.
So routine stuff in the end for Argentina, winning 3-0 against a Trinidad side that should be celebrated for their effort and spirit throughout. Still, the hosts were clearly the better side, and deserve this win. Goals from Palacio, Mascherano and Rodriguez dd the damage with the World Cup just over a week away.
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