Argentinean players celebrate after a first-half goal during their friendly against Mexico in San Diego on Wednesday night. Argentina won 4-1. - AP

SAN DIEGO (AP):

ARGENTINA BEAT Mexico 4-1 in a friendly on Wednesday night, inflicting a defeat upon the Central American nation in their first game since Sven-Goran Eriksson was appointed coach.

Former England manager Eriksson was only in the stands for the game; he will assume control later this month, and saw Argentina score three goals in the opening half hour to take a grip on the contest.

Playing before the biggest football crowd ever in San Diego, drawn from the large regional population of Mexicans, Argentina took the lead in the 11th minute through Internazionale centreback Nicolas Burdisso.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi doubled the lead seven minutes later from close range.

Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez, who scored the extra-time goal that eliminated Mexico in the round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup, completed the early burst with the aid of a deflection off a defender.

Mexico got a reply in the 62nd minute through Brazilian-born midfielder Zinha before Argentina restored their three-goal buffer in the 71st minute via Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero.

Warm-up

Argentina used the match as a warm-up for the resumption of their World Cup qualifying campaign, hosting Ecuador on June 16. Mexico's 2010 campaign begins on June 15 with the away leg, in Houston, of their tie against Belize.

"The score doesn't reflect the level of play of Mexico and Argentina," Mexico's interim manager Jesus Ramirez said. "The different factor was the quality of forwards. We need to learn both offensively and defensively," he said.

Ramirez indicated he would be open to staying as an assistant coach with the national team.

"When this is finished, we will talk with the national federation to make a decision," Ramirez said.