Argentina down Angola

Argentina enjoyed a good tune-up as they beat Angola 2-0 in Italy.

First half goal from Maxi Rodriguez and skipper Juan Pablo Sorin gave the South Americans the victory in Salerno, while Lionel Messi also made a substitute appearance in his bid for fitness for the finals.

Maxi opened the scoring for Argentina on 28 minutes, and Villarreal man Sorin doubled their advantage just eight minutes later.

Two-time World Cup winners Argentina had more chances to extend their advantage in the second half as Rodriguez his the crossbar while Pablo Aimar stuck a post.

A further boost for Argentina came in the 63rd minute when Barcelona starlet Messi came off the bench as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury.

Messi has played just 20 minutes of football since picking up his injury against Chelsea back in March but he produced a typically skilful display to signal he could prove an asset in Germany.

It was Argentina's last warm-up match before they face Ivory Coast in Hamburg on June 10 in their first World Cup match.

Angola, who nearly took the lead when Antonio Mendonca's drive was well saved by Roberto Abbondanzieri, face Portugal, Mexico and Iran in Group D in Germany.