Enzo on target as Argentina battle to unconvincing friendly win over Mauritania

Right from the start the home side pressed ahead when Julian Alvarez's free-kick in the fourth minute drew an excellent stop from Babacar Diop. Still nothing could prevent Argentina taking the lead after 17 minutes.

Totally free to advance into the penalty area Nahuel Molina's superb cross right into the heart of danger allowed Enzo Fernandez to smash in his first-time finish with precision. 

The advantage doubled soon past the halfway point of the first period when one of football's sharpest talents Nico Paz whipped a brilliant free-kick beyond Diop from long range.

That being said the opening 45 minutes were not solely controlled by Lionel Scaloni's squad as Oumar Ngom's bold attempt right at the end tested Emiliano Martínez who pulled off his debut save of the game though it proved fairly routine. 

With the match already in their grasp Scaloni shuffled his lineup during the interval bringing on at least three fresh faces among them Rodrigo de Paul Franco Mastantuono and Lionel Messi himself. 

Even after the home team's changes Mauritania created the initial opportunity of the second half after nine minutes when Djeidi Gassama of Rangers blazed his effort from near distance astray of the goal. 

Counter to the flow of the game the away side pressed forward once more in the 65th minute forcing Martinez to claw away Aboubakary Koita's thunderous attempt over the bar with a vital touch. 

For all their array of elite talents on display Argentina curiously produced no efforts on target across the entire latter period. Rather Jordan Lefort netted a late consolation right in added time to put Mauritania on the board. 

Argentina returns to the Bombonera pitch to meet Zambia on Wednesday as preparations ramp up for safeguarding their FIFA World Cup title come June 17th.

On the other hand Mauritania misses out on this year's global event having placed ahead of all but South Sudan in their qualifying group yet the Lions of Chinguetti must have absorbed key lessons from delivering a creditable showing versus FIFA's third-ranked side.