Argentina showed great pace and variety in their attacking play as first-half goals from Maxi Rodriguez and captain Juan Pablo Sorin sunk their overwhelmed opponents.

However, the twice champions will expect a much tougher African test when they kick off their World Cup campaign on June 10 against African Nations Cup beaten finalists Ivory Coast and their bruising forward Didier Drogba.

Argentina coach Jose Pekerman picked what was believed to be the likely starting line-up for the Ivory Coast game which means young Barcelona star Lionel Messi should find himself on the bench, as he did Tuesday, alongside Valencia's Pablo Aimar and Corinthians striker Carlos Tevez.