Martinez started in goal for Lionel Scaloni’s side as they made light work of the African outfit, who only arrived five hours before kick-off and were missing several senior players who opted not to travel.

Argentina led 5-0 at half-time courtesy of goals from Lautaro Martinez, Gianluca Prestianni, Nico Paz, Julian Alvarez and an own goal. Our goalkeeper was a virtual spectator.

Barco came off the bench midway through the second half, by which point Franco Mastantuono had extended Argentina’s lead and Martinez held the captain's armband.

Martinez was withdrawn with 12 minutes remaining and then Barco had a telling impact, assisting Giuliano Simeone’s header that made it 7-0 with a perfectly weighted far-post cross.

Argentina’s third and final friendly of this international window is against Benin on Tuesday, a game which will make the formal end of Lionel Messi’s 21-year international career.