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Beaten finalists four years ago in Brazil,
Argentina struggled in the qualifiers, only securing their
ticket with a win in their final match, but they were far too
strong for a Haiti side 103 places below them in the FIFA
rankings.
Lionel Messi took on his usual role as the star of the show,
scoring a hat-trick and setting up the fourth for Sergio Aguero,
who came off the bench to combine well with the Barcelona
striker and Christian Pavon, another second half substitute.
Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 17 minutes
before doubling Argentina's lead 12 minutes into the second half
with a simple tap-in after the keeper could only parry a header.
He scored his third after 65 minutes and set up Aguero two
minutes later to slot home a fourth as Argentina ran amok at
Boca Juniors' home stadium in the country's capital.
Peru, meanwhile, out-thought, outplayed and out-muscled an
understrength Scotland, who rarely threatened at the Estadio
Nacional in a rematch of a famous 1978 World Cup encounter
between the sides that the South Americans won 3-1.
Christian Cueva put Peru 1-0 ahead after 36 minutes from the
penalty spot before Jefferson Farfan took advantage of slack
defending just seconds after the break to complete the scoring.
The victory was Peru's third in a row against European
opposition following friendly wins over Croatia and Iceland, and
fills them with optimism as they head to their first World Cup
since 1982.
"Peru is ready to face any team in the world," Peru coach
Ricardo Gareca told reporters. "This team is prepared to resolve
problems that come our way."
Peru are now unbeaten in 13 games but have been drawn in one of
the most difficult pools in Russia, alongside France, Denmark
and Australia in Group C.
Argentina, meanwhile, are in Group D with Iceland, Croatia and
Nigeria.
In another game in Panama City, the hosts prepared for their
first ever World Cup with a 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland.
Panama, who are in Group G with England, Belgium and Tunisia,
have one final friendly against Norway in Oslo scheduled for
next week.
Argentina play Israel before heading to Russia and Peru face
fellow finalists Sweden in Gothenburg.
(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by John O'Brien)
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