Argentina forward Ever Banega (L) competes for the ball against Chile's Charles Aranguiz (Photo : Getty Images)
FIFA's top-ranked football team Argentina (1-0-0, 3 points) will look to continue showcasing its dominance in the Group D competitions of the 2016 Copa América Centenario as they square off with CONCACAF squad Panama (1-0-0, 3 points) on June 10, Friday at the Soldier Field in Chicago.
Argentina showed all their opponents that they are still the team to beat in the tournament even with the absence of five-time Ballon d'Or awardee Lionel Messi after beating defending champions Chile, 2-1, at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on Tuesday, Goal reported.
After a scoreless first half, Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria broke the deadlock at the 51st minute off an assist by Ever Banega. Di Maria then returned the favor eight minutes later as he pulled off a pass to Banega and the Inter Milan winger successfully pierced through Claudio Bravo's net.
Chile's 31-year-old full back Jose Pedro Fuenzalida netted a consolation goal for the La Roja in injury time, but it was all too late for them to mount a comeback at that point.
Team captain Messi sat on the bench of head coach Gerardo Martino during the match but was not fielded in as he had slowly recovered from a back injury suffered during the squad's 1-0 Copa send-off against Honduras on May 27.
Recent reports are out that Messi is already training with the team in Chicago and so there is a possibility he could suit up in this game against Panama.
Meanwhile, Los Canaleros turned back the challenge of Bolivia, 2-1, during their tournament opener on Tuesday at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, via ESPN.
Panama striker Blas Perez, currently playing for MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps, scored a brace at the 11th and 87th minutes to lead manager Hernán Darío Gómez's side in notching their first win of the group stage.
Bolivia forward Juan Carlos Arce managed to knot the count nine minutes after the restart, but Perez's second strike in the waning minutes sealed the game for the Red Tide.
With or without Messi, Argentina is a huge favorite to beat Panama on Friday.
The predicted result is a dominating 3-1 rout for Argentina.
Argentina starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Romero; Mercado, Otamendi, Funes Mori, Rojo; Fernandez, Mascherano; Gaitan, Banega, Di Maria; Higuaín
Panama starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Penedo; Machado, Baloy, Cummings, Miller; Cooper, Gomez, Godoy, Quintero; Torres, Perez
