CORNERFLICK
Lionel Scaloni has said Argentina must develop young talent such as Lionel Flores and Franco Mastantuono if it is to stay successful after Lionel Messi's retirement from the international game.
Young players step in
Argentina marked its first match since Messi announced his international retirement with a 4-0 win over Bolivia in Córdoba on Wednesday. Lautaro Martínez, Nico Paz, Cristian Romero, who captained the side in Messi's place, and Flaco López all scored in the World Cup runners-up's first game without him.
Flores, a 19-year-old Boca Juniors winger, made his senior debut as a substitute and had two successful dribbles, drew a strong save from Guillermo Viscarra and created one chance for a team-mate.
Mastantuono also came off the bench and matched Paz's total of three chances created. The Real Madrid youngster operated from wide areas and added another option for Scaloni.
What Scaloni said
Argentina host Burkina Faso in a friendly on Saturday before they pay tribute to Messi. The Inter Miami forward will make his 208th and final international appearance against Benin on 6 October.
Scaloni said: "We want the young players to do the same things they do on club matchdays. If they didn't, we would worry."