Peru vs Argentina summary: score, goals, highlights FIFA World ...

Full time: Peru 0-2 Argentina

It just had to be all about Lionel Messi on his return to the Argentina starting line-up.

The Inter Miami star made the difference for his team in the first half, with the World Cup holders in control of the vast majority of the 90 minutes, barring a few isolated moments of danger for the hosts.

Abram should arguably have put Peru ahead early on after a loose ball broke to him in the box, while Guerrero’s superb long-range effort had to be tipped over by Emi Martínez. However, Argentina went from strength-to-strength as the first half went on and turned their superiority into a two-goal half-time lead, with Messi inevitably at the heart of everything good they did.

His link-up play with Álvarez and Fernández in particular was a key feature of the first half, second only to his clinical finishing. The Argentina captain swept home Nico González’s pass after half-an-hour after Peru had carelessly lost possession, before calmly slotting a second past Gallese with half-time approaching.

Peru made a bright start to the second period without being overly threatening, but quickly faded and allowed their opponents to see out the game with relative ease.

Only a late header from Tapia threatened the visiting goal, with Argentina more likely to add to their advantage at the other end, even though they didn’t look especially interested in doing so. Messi was controversially denied a hat-trick by a dubious offside call and also saw a low effort saved after a free-flowing move involving Álvarez and González.

There would be no third goal for Messi or Argentina, but that’s now four wins out of four and four clean sheets, which move them five points clear in the qualification standings. And a first 90 minutes for the Albiceleste captain since 4 September.

All in all, a good night’s work for Lionel Scaloni and his men in Lima.