Lionel Messi celebrates scoring Argentina's second goal in a friendly victory over Zambia in Buenos Aires

Lionel Messi celebrates scoring Argentina's second goal in a friendly victory over Zambia in Buenos Aires

 Luis ROBAYO

Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another as Argentina thrashed Zambia 5-0 on Tuesday in the South Americans' final game on home soil before launching the defense of their World Cup crown.

Messi, restored to the starting line-up by coach Lionel Scaloni after Argentina's lackluster win over Mauritania last Friday, made an instant impact in Tuesday's friendly at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.

Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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