Messi Fires Warning To Super Eagles With Hat-Trick For Argentina In Friendly

Lionel Messi bagged a hat-trick as Nigeria's 2018 World Cup group opponents Argentina in the early hours of Wednesday defeated Haiti 4-0 in a pre-World Cup friendly match in Buenos Aires.

Former Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano was presented with a commemorative shirt to mark him joining  former international Javier Zanetti on 143 caps as Argentina's leading appearance maker.

Mascherano, who is set to break Zanetti's record, was joined by his young son on the pitch as Argentina fans bade farewell to their heroes before they set off for Europe.

Messi scored from the penalty spot in the first half in Argentina's first game since their 6-1 defeat suffered in the hands of Spain in a friendly in March.

The five times World Player of the Year winner added his second and third goals in the second half.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero who came on as a second-half substitute in place of Gonzalo Higuain, added a fourth in the 69th minute, ten minutes after his introduction.

Jorge Sampaoli's side face Israel next week in their second and final friendly match before the World Cup kicks off.

Argentina will start their campaign against Iceland before taking on Croatia and finally Nigeria in Group D as they look to go one better than 2014's final defeat by Germany.