International Friendly: Argentina defeat Italy 2-1

Gonzalo Higuain of Argentina scores the opening goal during the international friendly match against Argentina at Stadio Olimpico on August 14, 2013 in Rome, Italy

Argentina registered a 2-1 win over Italy in Rome with Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain and Valencia’s Ever Banega on the score-sheet. For Italy, Lorenzo Insigne scored a late consolation goal.

Higuain, who recently moved to Naples from Real Madrid, opened the scoring in the 20th minute and then turned provider early in the second half for substitute Ever Banega.

Both teams turned up without their star players, with Italian striker Mario Balotelli and Argentina talisman Lionel Messi missing due to injury.

Argentina went ahead when Angel Di Maria picked out former Real Madrid team-mate Higuain with a pass from midfield, which the striker collected neatly before zooming past two defenders, and smashed a powerful shot into the right corner from edge of the penalty area.

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli responded with three substitutions at half-time in the hope of turning the match around, but it was Argentina who started the second half better, with Ever Banega tapping in the second from the left. Higuain was the provider for the second goal.

Italy, though, got a late consolation goal 13 minutes from time when Osvaldo got space down the left and picked out Lorenzo Insigne, who chipped the ball over Mariano Andujar to open the scoring for the hosts.

But that was as good as it got for Italy as Argentina finished stronger, with Ezequiel Lavezzi firing over late on, before Maxi Rodriguez was denied in the final minute by a brilliant tip-over by substitute goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.