Without Lionel Messi, Argentina Routs Ecuador in Friendly

ELCHE, Spain (AP) Argentina routed Ecuador 6-1 in a friendly game in Spain on Sunday despite the absence of suspended Lionel Messi.

Lucas Alario, Leandro Paredes, German Pezzella, Nicolas Dominguez and Lucas Ocampos scored for Argentina, which also got on the board with an own-goal by Ecuadorean defender Jhon Espinoza.

Golazo de Nico Domínguez para la victoria de Argentina ante Ecuador. El jugador de #Velez hace su bautismo de gol en la Albiceleste en su tercer partido pic.twitter.com/krOBVdUF4G
— Pasión Fortinera (@PasionFortinera) October 13, 2019

Argentina, without many of the starters who played in the recent 2-2 draw against Germany, was up 3-0 at halftime in the southeastern Spanish city of Elche. Angel Mena scored Ecuador's only goal in the second half before Argentina added three more.

There was a brief dispute before Argentina's third goal, which came from a penalty kick. Lautaro Martinez had the ball and wanted to take the penalty, but Paredes prevailed after a discussion between the two. Martinez left complaining but celebrated the goal along with his teammates.

Messi was serving a three-month suspension from internationals because of comments he made against South American soccer body CONMEBOL during this year's Copa America in Brazil.

Argentina also was without players from Boca Juniors and River Plate because the teams are playing each other in the Copa Libertadores semifinal. Others missing from the squad were forwards Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero.