Lionel Messi void filled by Mauro Icardi and Paulo Dybala as Argentina enjoy friendly win over Mexico

The Inter striker and Juventus star both scored their first senior international goals in Mendoza

(Getty)

Mauro Icardi scored his first senior international goal as Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 for the second time in five days without Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

The Inter striker capped a box-to-box move in the opening two minutes, knocking down a long ball from keeper Geronimo Rulli to Erik Lamela, who returned the pass for Icardi to score.

It was Icardi’s first goal for Argentina in his eighth game for his country, and an encouraging development for interim coach Lionel Scaloni as he faces the possibility of rebuilding the team without Messi for the next World Cup qualification cycle.

Messi was excused from the latest Argentina squad as he weighs up his international future after last summer’s disappointing second-round exit at the World Cup.

Argentina have made a positive start since replacing Jorge Sampaoli with former Deportivo defender Scaloni in August, winning four of their six matches.

They looked the livelier of the two teams in Mendoza, with Victor Guzman having the best chance for Mexico in the opening 45 minutes but firing a free-kick over the bar.

A raft of substitutions followed in the second half, with Juventus star Paulo Dybala wrapping up Argentina’s victory six minutes after coming on for Icardi.

Giovanni Simeone, son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego, sprinted down the wing and played the ball into Dybala who found the right corner on 87 minutes for his first international goal.