Argentina knocks off Mexico with Mauro Icardi, Paulo Dybala goals

ANDRES LARROVERE/AFP/Getty Images

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An early goal from Mauro Icardi and a late strike from Paulo Dybala gave Argentina their second win in a row with a 2-0 victory over Mexico in a lukewarm friendly in Mendoza on Tuesday.

With two minutes gone Icardi, the Inter Milan striker controversially left out of Argentina's World Cup squad, beat two Mexican defenders on his right foot before transferring the ball to his left and whipping it past the keeper.

Dybala doubled the lead three minutes from time when he finished off a sweeping counter-attack beautifully set up by Giovanni Simeone, the son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego.

Mexico had more of the possession, but Argentina were well worthy of a victory that came four days after their 2-0 win in Cordoba in the first match of the double-header.

The best chance for the visitors fell to Jesus Gallardo midway through the second half but his point-blank header was well saved by substitute keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

The result takes interim coach Lionel Scaloni's record since the World Cup to four wins, one draw and one defeat. His team have conceded just the one goal in the 1-0 loss to Brazil last month.

Mexico, meanwhile, fell to their fifth defeat in six games since they tumbled out of the World Cup at the last-16 stage with a loss to Brazil.