Argentina were forced to call upon all of their experience and quality to overcome a weakened United States side and earn a generous 4-1 victory in their opening match in the Copa America.
Veteran striker Hernan Crespo was the hero for the Albicelestes, grabbing a brace.
Eddie Johnson had earned and then converted a penalty within the opening 10 minutes, only for Argentina to hit back through Crespo barely two minutes later.
The wily poacher then capitalised on the brilliance of Lionel Messi to secure three Group C points against the recent Gold Cup winners before Pablo Aimar and Tevez completed the rout.
The tournament favourites were stunned in the seventh minute when the US were awarded a penalty against the run of play.
Johnson found himself through on goal only for defender Gabriel Milito to bundle him to the ground as he shaped to shoot, prompting Chilean referee Carlos Chandia Alarcon to award a penalty.
The Kansas City Wizards forward showed composure to coolly despatch the kick past Roberto Abbondanzieri and hand his side - without the likes of Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley and Clint Dempsey - a surprise lead.
The lead lasted a matter of minutes, however, as Juan Roman Riquelme beautifully curled a free-kick over the defensive line for veteran poacher Crespo to attack.
Crespo, in space, snatched at his first attempt but after Gabriel Heinze attempted to stab it in unsuccessfully, the Inter Milan striker made sure with his second attempt.
As half-time approached Veron let fly from distance on the right to force Kasey Keller to tip the ball onto the bar and out for a corner. Keller was called upon from the resulting corner to block Crespo's header.
Benny Feilhaber then tried his luck from distance but Abbondanzieri comfortably held onto the ball.
A lacklustre start to the second half featured more possession football by the Argentinians punctuated by brief bursts on the break by the US.
Alfio Basile's decision to replace Esteban Cambiasso with midfield wizard Pablo Aimar was a clear statement of intent - but it was Messi who aroused the interest of the crowd, working his way into the area and through on goal before driving his shot just wide of Keller's near post.
Argentina finally went ahead in the 64th minute.
Messi exchanged an intricate one-two with Riquelme and perfectly picked out Crespo's run with a delightful ball through the defence. Crespo steadied himself before converting with aplomb from the right side of the penalty area.
The victory was complete when Aimar arrived in the box to powerfully head home and fellow substitute Carlos Tevez timed his run to make it four after 86 minutes.
Eddie Johnson had earned and then converted a penalty within the opening 10 minutes, only for Argentina to hit back through Crespo barely two minutes later.
The wily poacher then capitalised on the brilliance of Lionel Messi to secure three Group C points against the recent Gold Cup winners before Pablo Aimar and Tevez completed the rout.
The tournament favourites were stunned in the seventh minute when the US were awarded a penalty against the run of play.
Johnson found himself through on goal only for defender Gabriel Milito to bundle him to the ground as he shaped to shoot, prompting Chilean referee Carlos Chandia Alarcon to award a penalty.
The Kansas City Wizards forward showed composure to coolly despatch the kick past Roberto Abbondanzieri and hand his side - without the likes of Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley and Clint Dempsey - a surprise lead.
The lead lasted a matter of minutes, however, as Juan Roman Riquelme beautifully curled a free-kick over the defensive line for veteran poacher Crespo to attack.
Crespo, in space, snatched at his first attempt but after Gabriel Heinze attempted to stab it in unsuccessfully, the Inter Milan striker made sure with his second attempt.
As half-time approached Veron let fly from distance on the right to force Kasey Keller to tip the ball onto the bar and out for a corner. Keller was called upon from the resulting corner to block Crespo's header.
Benny Feilhaber then tried his luck from distance but Abbondanzieri comfortably held onto the ball.
A lacklustre start to the second half featured more possession football by the Argentinians punctuated by brief bursts on the break by the US.
Alfio Basile's decision to replace Esteban Cambiasso with midfield wizard Pablo Aimar was a clear statement of intent - but it was Messi who aroused the interest of the crowd, working his way into the area and through on goal before driving his shot just wide of Keller's near post.
Argentina finally went ahead in the 64th minute.
Messi exchanged an intricate one-two with Riquelme and perfectly picked out Crespo's run with a delightful ball through the defence. Crespo steadied himself before converting with aplomb from the right side of the penalty area.
The victory was complete when Aimar arrived in the box to powerfully head home and fellow substitute Carlos Tevez timed his run to make it four after 86 minutes.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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