Argentina 2 Italy 0: Ever Banega and Manuel Lanzini fire late crackers to light up Etihad and sink Azzurri
Sub breaks deadlock in dour friendly and West Ham star Lanzini hit his first international goal at half-empty Man City ground
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EVER BANEGA just loves playing in Manchester.
Ten days after producing a stunning display for Sevilla at Old Trafford, the midfielder hit a late opener in Argentina's Etihad win over Italy.
West Ham star Manuel Lanzini then doubled the victory margin in equally clinical fashion at Manchester City's half-empty ground
Gianluigi Buffon, who came out of retirement for this friendly, had produced two impressive saves in the first-half as the South Americans were on top.
And, with the Azzurri taking control in the second half, it was Chelsea No 2 Willy Caballero show off his shotstopping talent.
However, with the game seemingly petering out into a goalless draw, Banega's effort trickled past Buffon to all but settle the contest 15 minutes from time.
Italy, who take on England in their next friendly, struggled for possession in a dour first 45 minutes, despite starting two of the best ball-playing central midfielders in Europe.
But Jorginho and Marco Verratti had very limited influence, with Buffon taking the plaudits for the Europeans.
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First of all, the 40-year-old defied physics to show incredible reflexes as he stopped the impressive Angel Di Maria get a show away — even if the Paris Saint-Germain winger was flagged offside.
Then the Juventus keeper thwarted a Nicolas Otamendi header on the line in stunning fashion.
Leandro Paredes also came close for Argentina but sent his long-range effort just past the post.
But Jorginho and Marco Verratti had very limited influence, with Buffon taking the plaudits for the Europeans.
First of all, the 40-year-old defied physics to show incredible reflexes as he stopped the impressive Angel Di Maria get a show away — even if the Paris Saint-Germain winger was flagged offside.
Then the Juventus stopped beat a Nicolas Otamendi header off the line in stunning fashion.
Leandro Paredes also came close for Argentina, but he sent his long-range effort just past the post.
Verratti then played in Immobile with a stunning through ball, but the Lazio striker's effort was expertly parried.
But the breakthrough when Banega linked up with Giovani Lo Celso before beating Buffon.
Italy's interim boss Luigi DiBiagio sent on young Patrick Cutrone as he went in search of an equaliser.
But they were caught on the break as Lanzini made it 2-0 with his first international goal after being teed up by Gonzalo Higuain five minutes from time.
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Fans inside the Etihad had been desperate for a glimpse of Lionel Messi and chanted for the Barcelona icon.
But Argentina chief Jorge Sampaoli rejected their request, as his star man was left out due to a abductor muscle injury.
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