Argentina started their spring preparations for the 2018 World Cup in Russia by beating Italy 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium this evening.
Jorge Sampaoli's men were thankful for second-half strikes from both Ever Banega and Manuel Lanzini, as they edged past an industrious Italian side at the home of Premier League champions-elect Manchester City.
The encounter started with a fitting tribute to the late Davide Astori, with both sides taking part in a minute's silence to commemorate the tragic passing of the Italy international earlier this month.
Italy began proceedings with some commendable energy, especially when pressing high up the pitch, which almost allowed Federico Chiesa to test debutant Willy Caballero, before Nicolas Otamendi was able to intervene.
Sampaoli's charges soon grew into the contest and they nearly found a lead when Otamendi rose highest from a corner, only to be denied down low by Gianluigi Buffon, who recently declared his commitment to helping Italy manage their transition post Gian Piero Ventura by coming out of retirement.
The South American side enjoyed the lion's share of the ball in the first half and they again could have taken the lead when Leandro Paredes wound up from range, before seeing his shot fly agonisingly wide of the target.
The half's best chance was to fall to Gonzalo Higuain, though, as the frontman collected a memorable through-ball from an impressive Angel Di Maria, although his shot was saved by Juventus teammate Buffon despite being left one-on-one with the veteran.
Italy's first real chance of the game came straight after the interval and they should have gone in front through Lorenzo Insigne, but he could not profit from a suicidal back-pass from Paredes, as he shot wide with only Caballero to beat.
The Azzurri were much improved in the second half and they again came close to taking the lead when Marco Verratti showed superb vision to pick out Ciro Immobile beyond the last man, but he was denied by an on-rushing Caballero who smothered well to deny the striker.
With Argentina slightly veering from their positive showing earlier in the contest, Italy should have made their second-half dominance count when Verratti displayed yet more creative vision to play in Insigne, Caballero again shining on his debut with a fine diving save to his left to keep the scores level.
Sampaoli's charges soon made Italy pay for their profligacy just over 15 minutes from time as Jorginho was dispossessed, allowing Banega to drive a smart finish from the edge of the box into the far corner beyond a stranded Buffon to make it 1-0.
Argentina capped off a late resurgence with a second goal too, this time as Higuain raced away on the counter to feed another debutant in the shape of Lanzini, who made no mistake with an unerring finish beyond Buffon with his right.
Argentina will now prepare to face Spain in another showpiece friendly at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid next week, while Italy travel down south to take on England at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night.
ITALY (4-3-3): Buffon; Florenzi (Zappacosta 61'), Bonucci, Rugani, De Sciglio; Parolo (Pellegrini 61'), Verratti (Cristante 72'), Jorginho (Belotti 86'); Chiesa (Candreva 61'), Immobile (Cutrone 74'), Insigne
ARGENTINA (4-2-3-1): Cabellero; Bustos (Mercado 89'), Otamendi, Fazio, Tagliafico; Paredes (Banega 64'), Biglia; Lo Celso (Pavon 77'), Lanzini, Di Maria (Perotti 64'); Higuain
Christopher Dodd
