BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez both scored as Argentina defeated Albania 4-0 in a friendly on Monday, the South Americans' final warm-up before the Copa America.
Ezequiel Lavezzi and Sergio Aguero also added goals as Argentina played with most of its top stars, though coach Sergio Batista left three of his best forwards on the bench to start the match — Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid) and Aguero (Atletico Madrid).
Albania, no match for Argentina at full strength, played with a weakened team that was missing several top players including Galatasaray midfielder Lorik Cana and forward Erjon Bogdani of Italy's Cesena.
Argentina and Brazil are the favorites in the Copa America, which starts July 1. Brazil has won four of the last five titles.