Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another as Argentina thrashed Zambia 5-0 on Tuesday in the South Americans' final game on home soil before launching the defense of their World Cup crown.
Messi, restored to the starting lineup by coach Lionel Scaloni after Argentina's lackluster win over Mauritania last Friday, made an immediate impact in Tuesday's friendly at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.
The 38-year-old superstar set up the opening goal for Julian Alvarez before bagging his 116th goal for Argentina with an individual strike just before halftime.
Tuesday's game marked a World Cup send-off for the reigning world champions, who will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in group J of the finals in June.
Argentina will also play a friendly against Serbia in June, and are seeking to arrange another warm-up fixture before the tournament.
Messi is firmly expected to captain Argentina into what will be a record sixth World Cup finals as the South American giants target back-to-back titles.
DECISIVE CONTRIBUTION
The Inter Miami playmaker once again demonstrated his enduring influence on the Albiceleste with a typically decisive contribution in a comfortable win.
Alvarez fired Argentina into the lead after just four minutes when Messi effortlessly controlled a lofted pass on the edge of the area and then threaded a pass into the feet of the Atletico Madrid striker to score.
Messi doubled Argentina's lead with the 902nd goal of his career two minutes before halftime, working a clever one-two with Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister before tucking a low finish past Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza.
Messi could have added to his goals tally just after halftime when Argentina were awarded a penalty following Albert Kangwanda's foul on Thiago Almada.
But rather than take the spot kick himself, Messi handed the ball to veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, and the 38-year-old made no mistake from the spot for a 3-0 lead.
An own goal from Dominic Chanda in the 68th minute put Argentina 4-0 up, before rising star Valentin Barco completed the scoring in stoppage time to make it 5-0.