Match ends, Argentina 2, Croatia 1.
ArgentinaArgentina2CroatiaCroatia1
Lionel Messi's second-half penalty gave World Cup finalists Argentina victory over Croatia at West Ham's Upton Park.
Croatia went ahead early on when Mateo Kovacic found Anas Sharbini, who bent a shot past goalkeeper Sergio Romero for his first international goal.
Argentina, featuring five Premier League players in their starting XI, levelled when Cristian Ansaldi's shot deflected in off Sergio Aguero's arm.
Messi scored from the spot after Aguero was fouled by goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic.
The Barcelona forward also hit a post as Argentina saw off a much-changed Croatia side, with Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mario Mandzukic and Dejan Lovren not even among the substitutes.
Former West Ham favourite Carlos Tevez received a rapturous reception when he replaced Aguero in the 62nd minutes, and fellow former Hammer Javier Mascherano went close to adding a third with a long-range drive.
Croatia, who lead qualifying Group H for Euro 2016 after winning their first three matches, play Italy on Sunday in Rome.
Argentina, beaten by Germany in the World Cup final, meet Portugal in a friendly at Manchester United's Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Line-ups
Argentina
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Romero
- 4Zabaleta
- 2Vergini
- 17Fazio
- 3AnsaldiSubstituted forSilvaat 77'minutes
- 14Mascherano
- 19BanegaSubstituted forPereyraat 71'minutes
- 8Pérez
- 10Messi
- 7Di MaríaSubstituted forLamelaat 77'minutes
- 11AgüeroSubstituted forTevezat 62'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Biglia
- 6Otamendi
- 9Higuaín
- 12Caballero
- 13Roncaglia
- 15Demichelis
- 16Pereyra
- 18Lamela
- 20Gaitán
- 21Guzmán
- 22Pastore
- 23Tevez
- 24Silva
Croatia
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 12L KalinicSubstituted forVargicat 89'minutes
- 2Vrsaljko
- 5Jedvaj
- 4LeskovicSubstituted forMitrovicat 84'minutes
- 22Leovac
- 19MilicSubstituted forTomecakat 71'minutes
- 7Badelj
- 21Antolic
- 10SharbiniSubstituted forJajaloat 65'minutes
- 20KovacicSubstituted forHalilovicat 45'minutes
- 13CopSubstituted forRogat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Vargic
- 6Mitrovic
- 8Halilovic
- 9N Kalinic
- 11Tomecak
- 14Jajalo
- 15Strinic
- 18Rog
- Referee:
- Andre Marriner
Match Stats
Home TeamArgentinaAway TeamCroatia
- Possession
- Home64%
- Away36%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away1
- Corners
- Home8
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Argentina 2, Croatia 1.
Post update
Erik Lamela (Argentina) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Domagoj Antolic (Croatia).
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Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Marin Leovac (Croatia).
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Foul by Jonathan Silva (Argentina).
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Ivan Tomecak (Croatia) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Erik Lamela (Argentina).
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Domagoj Antolic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Marin Leovac.
Substitution
Substitution, Croatia. Ivan Vargic replaces Lovre Kalinic.
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Jonathan Silva (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Marko Rog (Croatia).
Substitution
Substitution, Croatia. Marko Rog replaces Duje Cop.
Substitution
Substitution, Croatia. Matej Mitrovic replaces Marko Leskovic.
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Roberto Pereyra (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Milan Badelj (Croatia).
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Lionel Messi (Argentina) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Roberto Pereyra.
Post update
Foul by Jonathan Silva (Argentina).
