Ahead of their Copa America campaign, Argentina showcased their prowess with a commanding 4-1 victory over Guatemala in a friendly match held in Washington on June 15th. The match served as a strong statement from Lionel Messi and his team, highlighting their potential in the upcoming tournament.

The Argentine squad wasted no time asserting dominance as Lisandro Martínez opened the scoring with an own goal just 4 minutes into the game. However, Guatemala responded swiftly, equalizing with a goal from Akashi-Sadara in the 12th minute after a defensive error gifted Messi possession in the box. The football wizard capitalized on the opportunity, calmly slotting the ball into the net.

Despite initial pressure from Guatemala, Argentina gradually seized control. Their persistence paid off when Valentin Carboni was fouled in the box, earning Argentina a penalty. Surprisingly, Messi opted to pass the responsibility to Lautaro Martinez, who duly converted to give Argentina a 2-1 lead going into halftime.

In the second half, Argentina continued their relentless attack. Lautaro Martinez extended their lead to 3-1 in the 68th minute with his second goal of the match, assisted by Messi. The Argentine captain then showcased his trademark skill in the 77th minute, chipping the ball over the goalkeeper from an Angel Di Maria pass to secure his team's 4-1 victory.

The match served as a vital warm-up for Argentina, demonstrating their offensive prowess and ability to capitalize on opportunities. With Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez both scoring twice, Argentina sends a strong message to their Copa America rivals that they are a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming tournament.

Argentina will kick off their Copa America campaign on June 21st, aiming to build on their impressive form and clinch the prestigious title in the Latin American region.