The PSG man's first international goal helped the Albiceleste to victory as their injured captain watched on
It was a landmark day for Javier Pastore, who scored his maiden international goal as Argentina overcame Ecuador 2-1 in an international friendly at MetLink Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday.
Argentina were without captain Lionel Messi for the second
consecutive match, with a foot injury sidelining the 97-cap veteran, but
Pastore stepped up in his absence.
Pastore netted the winner 13 minutes into the second half to inspire Argentina, ending his 17-match international goal drought.
Argentina and Ecuador were level at the break after Miller Bolanos
cancelled out Sergio Aguero's eighth-minute opener in the United States.
Gerardo Martino's Argentina have one more friendly fixture - against
Bolivia on June 6 - remaining before the Copa America kicks off in Chile
in June, while Ecuador face Panama (June 3 and 7) in a double-header
ahead of the tournament's curtain-raiser on June 11.
Argentina fielded virtually an entire new starting XI, with 10
changes made to the team that defeated El Salvador 2-0 on Saturday,
though Angel Di Maria retained his place.
Antonio Valencia, Arturo Mina and Jefferson Montero all made way for
Ecuador as Gustavo Quinteros included Gabriel Achilier, Angel Mena and
Renato Ibarra.
Argentina wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Aguero
- unmarked at the back post - heading home Di Maria's corner from close
range in the eighth minute for his 23rd goal in 60 appearances.
Marcos Rojo and Di Maria both came close to doubling Argentina's lead
but Ecuador started to take control of proceedings from the 18-minute
mark after Mena's glancing header was dealt with by goalkeeper Sergio
Romero.
The Ecuadorians continued to press forward in search of an equaliser
and they were rewarded five minutes later thanks to Bolanos, who scored
his first international goal after missing a penalty against Mexico last
week.
Bolanos received a cross from out wide, which evaded
two defenders, and his shot took a deflection before the ball went
underneath Romero.
Argentina almost regained the lead five minutes before half-time,
when Lucas Biglia's free kick bobbled up off the ground and forced
Alexander Dominguez to spoon the ball away for a corner.
The second half began frantically, with Argentina's pace causing
Ecuador problems and it was not long before Martino's men hit the front
again.
Pastore sprung the offside trap as Ecuador attempted to clear their lines and slotted the ball underneath Dominguez in the 58th minute.
Aguero had a golden chance to seal the victory for Argentina but the
Manchester City star sliced his shot wide of the post with 18 minutes
remaining
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