BUENOS AIRES — Argentina had a scare when Lionel Messi had to be substituted after incurring a back injury during a 1-0 win over rugged Honduras in a Copa America Centenario warm-up friendly Friday.
Messi walked off in pain in the 64th minute in San Juan after a clash with Honduras substitute Oliver Morazan 10 days before Argentina’s opening Group D match against Chile.
The team later dispelled fears of a serious injury, saying on their Twitter account that Messi had “suffered bruising on the left of his lower back and ribs.”
Gonzalo Higuain scored the only goal for Argentina.
In other warm-up matches for the June 3-26 tournament in the United States, Edinson Cavani struck twice as Uruguay overcame Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 and title holder Chile was upset 2-1 by Jamaica.
Higuain struck after half an hour for Argentina when he received a low cross from the left by Marcos Rojo with his back to goal, turned central defender Maynor Figueroa and chipped left-footed over goalkeeper Donis Escober.
Argentina meets Chile in Santa Clara, California, on June 6 and also faces Bolivia and Panama in Group D.
Uruguay, without the injured Luis Suarez, came from a goal down after Jomal Williams had put the Trinidadians ahead in the seventh minute in Montevideo.
Cavani equalized with a 26th-minute penalty for a foul by Weslie John on midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro and put Uruguay ahead in the 39th with a shot from the right at a corner.
Matias Vecino, who made his debut against Brazil in a World Cup qualifier in March, increased Uruguay’s lead seven minutes after halftime with his first international goal.
Uruguay faces Mexico in Glendale, Arizona on June 5 before also meeting Jamaica and Venezuela in Group C.
Jamaica, which meets Venezuela in Chicago on June 5, stunned a Chile side fielding several reserves in Vina del Mar scoring through Clayton Donaldson and Simon Dawkins before substitute Nicolas Castillo pulled one back late on.
Rashford sets record
Marcus Rashford’s rapid progress continued as the 18-year-old took 138 seconds to become the youngest player to score on his England debut in a 2-1 friendly win over Australia Friday.
The Manchester United striker probably booked his place in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad and his Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney added a second before substitute Eric Dier headed a late own goal.
But the night belonged to Rashford, who netted three minutes into what was only his 19th professional match, stroking the ball first time past goalkeeper Matt Ryan after creating space inside the area at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. Rashford, who also scored on his United debut in February, could have had a second goal minutes later and produced an assured performance before coming off on the hour.
Manager Hodgson praised his debutant but refused to confirm whether Rashford will be in the trimmed down 23-man squad that must be named before Tuesday.
“It was fantastic, he did very well and I am pleased for him on his debut,” Hodgson said. “He would not be out of place in anyone’s 23.”
