Argentina's final warmup friendly before opening its World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia next Tuesday couldn't have gone any better. Fielding a nearly first-choice XI in the first half, la Albiceleste scored four goals in the opening 45 — including sensational strikes from Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María.
The victory also took Argentina's unbeaten streak to 36 matches. That's the second-longest run in international history and only one shy of Italy's 37-game streak between 2018 and 2021. You'd expect Argentina to match the record by handling Saudi Arabia, but then it's Mexico standing in the way of history on Nov. 26.
But with that match against the Green Falcons looming, Argentina took on the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The UAE failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing to Australia in the AFC playoff, and Argentina made light work of them.
Di María released Messi and Argentina's captain gave Julián Álvarez the opener in the 17th minute.
¡Gooooool de Argentina! ⚽
¡Gooooool de Argentina! ⚽
¡Gooooool de Argentina! ⚽0-0EN VIVO
TUDN#TUMundial #Argentina #UAEFA pic.twitter.com/GPcFFL4GLY— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 16, 2022
For Argentina's second in the 25th, Marcos Acuña lofted a deep cross at Di María and the 34-year-old finished beautifully on the volley.
¿Gol?
¡Señor G O L A Z O de Di María!0-2
EN VIVO
TUDN#TUMundial #Argentina #UAEFA pic.twitter.com/Pfm1h3uObT— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 16, 2022
Di María then got a brace in the 36th while rounding the keeper. He's only scored one for Juventus this season.
¡Doblete de Di María!
Esto ya es goleada ⚽0-3
EN VIVO
TUDN#TUMundial #Argentina #UAEFA pic.twitter.com/9v8yoR3O3o— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 16, 2022
Argentina's sensational first half was complete in the 44th after Messi took possession 20 yards out, cut onto his right foot and blasted an effort inside the far post. That's international goal No. 91 for the GOAT.
Y es que no podía faltar...
¡Gooooool de Messi!
¡Gooooool de Messi!
¡Gooooool de Messi!0-4
EN VIVO
TUDN#TUMundial #Argentina #UAEFA pic.twitter.com/9GF9KuMjkk— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 16, 2022
Lionel Scaloni made four changes at halftime, but Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Lisandro Martínez and Juan Foyth went the full 90.
Joaquin Correa scored Argentina's fifth on the hour mark.
¡Gooooool de la Albiceleste! ⚽
¡Gooooool de la Albiceleste! ⚽
¡Gooooool de la Albiceleste! ⚽0-5EN VIVO
TUDN#TUMundial #Argentina #UAEFA pic.twitter.com/eIpX2THD9H— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 16, 2022
Saudi Arabia didn't have as good of a warmup Wednesday, losing 1-0 to Croatia in Riyadh with Andrej Kramarić scoring off Luka Modrić's feed.
Modrić assist -> Kramaric ⚽️pic.twitter.com/Hp4z0rXfhk
— Ele (@EleModric) November 16, 2022
