Lionel Messi Is Star but Pastore, Gaitan and Banega Are Argentina Positives

More arduous tests will follow. Tuesday's clash against Hong Kong was little more than a practice match for the superstars of the Argentina national team, and the result reflected that reality. But still, games are there to be won, and no outcome can be taken for granted. 

The Albiceleste certainly met expectations. Gerardo Martino's men romped to a 7-0 victory against the Asian team while observers were treated to the curious sight of home fans applauding the man putting them to the sword. 

Lionel Messi received the adulation of the stadium, a large percentage of which was decked out in the Argentine colours, and did not disappoint as he smashed in two goals and laid on another one to round off a devastating win with his half-hour cameo. 

It was clear that the Barcelona forward relished the chance to show off his skills against a team less inclined to follow his every step. The pick of his double was the first, a brilliant give-and-go with Ever Banega and a delicate chip over hapless Hong Kong stopper Yapp Hung Fai to make it 5-0 for the away side. 

But the second effort, a classic, boring run in from the right and a shot that dragged past the No. 1, was no less accomplished. After missing a penalty against Brazil, this run-out was what La Pulga (The Flea) needed to put himself back on top in Albiceleste colours. 

To focus on the captain, however, is to miss the point of this fixture. A completely changed starting XI from that which toiled during a 2-0 Superclasico de las Americas defeat to Brazil represented the hopefuls of the Argentina setup. A big result would confirm them in Martino's plans, and after a nervous start the substitutes eventually ran riot. 

No player will be happier than Nicolas Gaitan. The Benfica star has yet to see his domestic dominance in Portugal translate into regular international appearances, but an excellent performance against Hong Kong marked by two goals will not do his chances any harm. 

Gaitan gives Martino the mobility and dynamism he demands in the final third from Argentina. The winger pops up on both sides of the pitch and gives the side a movement that is hard to defend, be it Hong Kong or Germany trying to keep him out.

The partnership that the star struck up with Banega, who lay a little deeper and also made a big case for selection with a fantastic performance, demonstrated the strength in depth Argentina can call going forward. 

So did the performance of one Javier Pastore: Given little time to shine against Brazil, the Paris-Saint Germain live wire was at the heart of all Argentina's attacking play. A brilliant jink and pass to Gonzalo Higuain could have fed the Napoli striker another goal, although Pipita had to settle for a brace in an encouraging return to international form. 

The list goes on. Facundo Roncaglia got forward at will on the right side of defence, while Nicolas Otamendi and Santiago Vergini dealt quietly with those rare forays forward from the hosts. Leonel Vangioni is still new to this level, but the River full-back showed his consistency and pitched in with a perfect cross that allowed Higuain to head home in the first half.

November sees Argentina take on two opponents of a rather higher level. Colombia and Portugal loom on the horizon for the Albiceleste, and Martino confirmed in his post-match press conference that there will be new faces in that squad. Whether that includes Carlos Tevez or not will be seen further down the line, but for now those who triumphed over Hong Kong can feel satisfied for a job well done. 

Messi remains the king of the Argentina team, closely followed by the brilliant Angel Di Maria, who watched from the sidelines. But as the Hong Kong rout showed, there are plenty of suitors waiting for a chance to shine in one of the world's premier attacking units.