WATCH: Di Maria and Messi score brilliant goals in Argentina's final pre-FIFA World Cup game

Topics: Lionel Messi, Angel di Maria, Argentina, UAE, FIFA World Cup

La Pulga and El Fideo both got on the scoresheet as Argentina wrapped up their Qatar 2022 preparations with a 5-0 win over the UAE.

Argentina have just wrapped up their preparations for the FIFA World Cup. The South American giants headed to Abu Dhabi to take on the UAE national team in their final pre-Qatar 2022 game, triumphing 5-0.

The Copa America holders gave several of their star players minutes on the pitch, with Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Rodrigo de Paul, and Lisandro Martinez all starting. However, it was the first two attackers who stole the show in the first half.

La Pulga, who will captain his nation in his fifth and final FIFA World Cup tournament, needed only 17 minutes before contributing to a goal. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner selflessly assisted Manchester City talent Julian Alvarez for the opener despite being one-on-one with the UAE keeper, sliding the ball to the former River Plate sensation for a tap-in.

¡Gooooool de Argentina!
¡Gooooool de Argentina!
¡Gooooool de Argentina!

0-0

EN VIVO
TUDN#TUMundial #Argentina #UAEFA pic.twitter.com/GPcFFL4GLY
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 16, 2022

Less than 10 minutes later, Di Maria doubled Argentina's lead, with the Juventus ace scoring an absolute worldie. The former Real Madrid star netted on the volley from an exquisite Marcos Acuña cross, with his shot ricocheting off the post and into the back of the net. Check out his stunning effort in the clip below (video is geo-restricted).

¿Gol?

¡Señor G O L A Z O de Di María!

0-2

EN VIVO
TUDN#TUMundial #Argentina #UAEFA pic.twitter.com/Pfm1h3uObT
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 16, 2022

El Fideo completed his brace in the 36th minute and just before half-time, the fans got what they were waiting for: a Lionel Messi goal. The PSG star bamboozled the opposition, leaving two Emirati defenders in his dust before unleashing an unstoppable shot with his weaker right foot. Check out his goal in the video below (geo-restrictions also apply).

Y es que no podía faltar...

¡Gooooool de Messi!
¡Gooooool de Messi!
¡Gooooool de Messi!

0-4

EN VIVO
TUDN#TUMundial #Argentina #UAEFA pic.twitter.com/9GF9KuMjkk
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 16, 2022

Scaloni's men would go on to get another, with De Paul setting up Correa for the fifth and final goal. The focus now shifts to Qatar 2022 for La Albiceleste. Only a few days remain before Messi and Co. kick off their campaign, with the two-time world champions taking on Saudi Arabia in their opening fixture on November 22.