Messi on target as Argentina rout UAE 5-0 in warm-up

Lionel Messi was among the scorers as Argentina wrapped up their World Cup preparations with a 5-0 friendly victory over the United Arab Emirates yesterday. Messi lashed home his 91st international goal in the first half at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi to help Argentina extend their unbeaten streak to 36 games.The South American giants can equal Italy’s world record unbeaten run of 37 games if they avoid defeat against Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener in Doha on Tuesday. Messi’s goal came in an opening 45 minutes that saw Angel di Maria score twice with Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez also netting.Substitute Joaquin Correa added a fifth after the break, completing a commanding result for the Qatar-bound visitors, in front of a 36,000 capacity crowd. Alvarez opened Argentina’s account in the 17th minute, finishing off a Messi low cross, smoothly flicking the ball past UAE ‘keeper Khalid Eisa.A first-time volley from Di Maria off a brilliant Marcos Acuna cross found the far corner to double Argentina’s lead in the 26th minute. Messi almost got on the board with a signature free kick that just cleared the bar but the visitors did not need to wait long for another goal as Di Maria connected with an Alexis Mac Allister pass and dribbled his way past the entire UAE defence to make it 3-0 for La Albiceleste inside 36 minutes.A Messi header just before the break was saved by Eisa but the former Barcelona star was not to be denied as he and Di Maria wreaked havoc on the edge of the box before Messi sprinted through down the right and fired past the UAE ‘keeper.Substitute Correa extended Argentina’s lead in the 60th minute, latching onto a Rodrigo de Paul through pass for goal number five.UAE’s Caio Canedo almost struck back immediately but his close-range strike sailed over the bar. Another opportunity came via Abdulaziz Heikal, who sent a dangerous cross into the box but Canedo’s effort went just wide.Messi curled a free kick in the 78th minute that was a few inches wide before Canedo missed twice from close range.Argentina will now fly to Doha where they kick off their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia on November 22 at Lusail Stadium.Messi, 35, has a sackful of trophies but the tournament in Qatar is likely to be his final chance to equal the achievement of fellow Argentine great Diego Maradona, a winner in 1986. But Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi is cautious about the team’s chances in Qatar, even though they are among the favourites."We have a very nice group that is very eager, but we think about going little by little. We know that World Cup groups are not easy,” the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner said in an interview with CONMEBOL, the South American football federation.