Messi to miss Morocco friendly after injury on international return

AFP  |  Madrid 

will miss Argentina's friendly against next week after picking up a groin in the 3-1 defeat to on Friday as he made his first international appearance since

The tweeted the update following the loss at

has also been ruled out of the fixture in Tangier with a thigh problem.

Salomon and gave a two-goal advantage at the break.

forward halved the deficit before scored from the spot to claim the spoils in the friendly.

Messi's 129th cap started poorly as forward controlled a long ball before hammering home a half-volley past Argentine The pick of the goals came as 23-year-old Murillo scored for only a third time in 17 internationals.

He received the ball on the corner of the box, was given plenty of space by the Albiceleste defence and the fired home powerfully past Armani with a minute left of the first half Argentina's Martinez gave his side some hope on the hour mark as Messi found who played in the Inter forward to finish.

Rafael Dudamel's side, ranked 32nd in the world, claimed a third after Martinez was tripped in the box.

The Atlanta United attacker skipped up to take the penalty, sending Armani the wrong way to score with 15 minutes remaining.

The friendly against on Tuesday comes as they prepare for this year's Copa America, held in between June-July.

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First Published: Sat, March 23 2019. 09:35 IST