Argentina began their transition into the post-Lionel Messi era with a win over Bolivia, as striker Lautaro Martinez grabbed headlines in Cordoba.
The Inter captain scored once to enter his country's top three all-time goalscorers, an impressive feat.
He reached the milestone by joining Sergio Aguero on 41 goals, with only Lionel Messi and Gabriel Batistuta ahead of him in Argentina's all-time scoring charts.
Lautaro Martinez Moves Into Argentina's Top Three All-Time Scorers
Lautaro was expected to be one of the players to carry the national team forward without Messi, and he lived up to the billing in the first game without the Inter Miami man.
Named in the starting line-up by coach Lionel Scaloni, the 29-year-old played in a front two alongside Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez.
Named among Argentina's senior leadership group after Messi, he led by example by opening the scoring after 19 minutes with a fine effort from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.
He scored three times at the FIFA World Cup this summer, including the winner in the dramatic semi-final triumph over England.
The striker was an unused substitute in the final against Spain after Enzo Fernandez's sending-off left Scaloni unable to call on him from the bench.
Lautaro has previously shown his quality for Argentina, giving them a glimpse of how he would take responsibility in Messi's absence.
With Messi managing injuries and playing a limited role at the 2024 Copa America, he won the tournament's Golden Boot, leading La Albiceleste to a second successive South American championship.
A regular for Argentina since 2018, his 41st goal for La Albiceleste came in his 85th appearance for his country.
He now sits third on the goalscoring charts, behind Messi's 125 goals and Gabriel Batistuta's 55 goals for Argentina.
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Lionel Scaloni's new cycle got off to a strong start, as several newcomers managed to catch the eye in their 4-0 win over Bolivia on home soil.
Martinez opened the scoring with a fine strike before Nico Paz dinked a second over the Bolivian goalkeeper in the 29th minute.
The Como midfielder turned provider, delivering a cross for Cristian Romero to head home Argentina's third in the 54th minute.
A fourth goal followed in the 86th minute from Jose Manuel Lopez, with 19-year-old Boca Juniors winger Leonel Flores setting him up.”
Franco Mastantuono made an impression off the bench, creating the joint-most chances, while the full-back duo of Agustin Giay and Roman Vega also impressed.
Exequiel Palacios started for La Albiceleste and provided an assist, after playing just one game at the World Cup this summer.
They will look to build on the performance when they take on Burkina Faso in their second friendly on October 3.
