BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay scored two second-half goals en route to a 2-1 friendly win over Argentina here on Friday, a match that marked the first game of the post-Lionel Messi era.
Leonardo Balerdi gifted the visitors the lead when he inadvertently turned the ball into his own net after Giorgian de Arrascaeta's free kick.
De Arrascaeta was again involved when his delivery from a corner was headed into the far corner by Maximiliano Araujo.
The hosts pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute through Julian Alvarez, who stabbed a first-time effort that rebounded in off the far post after Gianluca Prestianni's cross.
The match was Argentina's first outing since Messi's farewell international appearance last month. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner departed as the Albiceleste's all-time leading scorer with 126 goals and most capped player with 208 appearances.
Argentina will face Costa Rica in Cordoba, and Uruguay will meet the Dominican Republic in Montevideo in their final friendlies of the year on Tuesday. ■
