MetLife’s temporary turf surface looked heavy
He went just wide from the top of the penalty area in the 12th minute after exchanging passes with Ángel Di María, then went wide again in the 44th minute and chipped over the crossbar in first-half stoppage time.
MetLife’s temporary turf surface looked heavy, with water splashing and sand appearing during dribbles.
Argentina took the lead after Rodrigo De Paul from the center circle made a long pass to Álvarez, who touched at the top of the goal to control the ball from Moïse Bombito. Álvarez took another touch to create space for Bombito and from near the penalty spot slid the ball between Crépeau’s legs for his ninth goal in 35 international appearances.
Messi scored after a throw-in. He crossed the ball to De Paul, who ran to the baseline and cut the ball. Koné’s attempted clearance went to Fernández, who fired a shot that Messi deflected from inside the six-yard box.
Jonathan David was thwarted by Emiliano Martínez from close range in first-half injury time, and Martínez saved with a kick from Tani Oluwaseyi in the 80th.
