Lionel Messi, looking to score his first World Cup goals since 2006 in Brazil this month, went scoreless as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in a World Cup warmup on Friday.
Messi missed several chances in the first half, was repeatedly fouled and hit the post with a free kick from which midfielder Javier Mascherano tapped in Argentina’s second goal.
Striker Rodrigo Palacio, replacing the injured Gonzalo Higuain, headed the opener in the last action of the first half and substitute Maxi Rodriguez completed the win in the 64th minute.
Prolific for Barcelona, Messi has only one goal to his name at two World Cups, scored in a 6-0 rout of Serbia & Montenegro on his tournament debut at the 2006 finals in Germany.
He went goalless in five matches at the 2010 finals in South Africa.
“We finished strongly, Trinidad and Tobago were opponents who closed up at the back like some teams in the group will do (at the World Cup),” Messi told reporters.
Argentina, looking to win their third world title at the June 12-July 13 finals in Brazil, cruised to victory after squandering a string of first-half chances with Ezequiel Lavezzi, replacing Sergio Aguero who was unwell earlier this week, the biggest culprit.
Palacio finally made the breakthrough, heading in an Angel Di Maria corner at the near post in the second minute of first- half stoppage time after Trinidad gave away the corner preventing Messi from scoring.
