‘A gentleman’ – Lautaro Martinez hails Lionel Messi for wonderful gesture in Argentina’s win over Guatemala

Lautaro Martinez thanked Lionel Messi for allowing him to take a penalty in Argentina's win over Guatemala.

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• Messi allowed Martinez to take a penalty
• Inter forward thanked Argentina legend
• Reigning Copa America champions beat Guatemala 4-1

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The reigning World Cup and Copa America winners picked up a convincing 4-1 win over Guatemala on Saturday in their final warm-up game before they begin their title defence campaign in the US next week. Martinez and Messi combined in three out of the four goals as they netted a brace each.

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• Geoff Burke
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi had restored parity in the game after Guatemala took a surprise fourth-minute lead courtesy of Lisandro Martinez's own goal. In the 39th minute, Argentina won a penalty, however, instead of the Inter Miami star taking the spot-kick, he let Martinez do the honour. The Inter forward converted the penalty and handed his team the lead.

• WHAT LAUTARO MARTINEZ SAID

  Speaking to reporters, the 26-year-old thanked the Barcelona legend for his gesture as he said, "I looked at him, and he gave it to me. I thanked him, and I thank him publicly as well. It's a gesture from a GREAT, a gentleman both on and off the field. This is very important to me."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARGENTINA?

  La Albiceleste begin their Copa America 2024 journey on June 21 as they take on Canada in the tournament opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.