Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina thrashed Nicaragua 5-1 in a friendly in San Juan on Friday.

Barcelona star Messi struck twice before half-time as his side continued their preparations for the Copa America later this month, with Lautaro Martinez also scoring a double.

Messi, who had missed an early chance when he fired wide, opened the scoring after 37 minutes when he weaved past three defenders and added a second within three minutes after Sergio Aguero's shot was saved.

Messi and Aguero were taken off at half-time and substitute Martinez took centre stage, making it 4-0 with goals after 63 and 72 minutes.

The fifth came when Watford's Roberto Pereyra scored with nine minutes left before Juan Barrera's penalty pulled one back for Nicaragua.

Argentina take on Colombia in their opening Copa America match in Salvador and also face Paraguay and Qatar in Group B.