Argentina 2-0 Slovenia

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Argentina team with Las Malvinas flagImage source, AFP

Argentina's players posed behind a banner supporting their country's claims to the Falkland Islands before a World Cup warm-up in Buenos Aries.

The team displayed a message to support an on-going campaign to claim sovereignty of the islands, a British Overseas Territory.

Argentina then beat Slovenia 2-0 with goals from Ricardo Alvarez and substitute Lionel Messi.

They start their Group F campaign against Bosnia-Herzegovina on 15 June.

Coach Alex Sabella chose not to risk Messi, Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain or Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria from the start of their final friendly before the finals in Brazil.

But Argentina still went ahead in the 11th minute when Inter Milan midfielder Alvarez scored with a powerful run and shot.

Sabella made changes in the second half and Di Maria and Aguero combined for Messi to add the second when converting Aguero's headed pass with a left-foot finish with 15 minutes to go.

"We have a great group and team," said Messi. "A World Cup is very tough and we will have to fight a lot for it.

"We arrive with the right age, with most of us playing in the best leagues of Europe for years. Winning it is our target, but it will be very hard."

Argentina also face Iran and Nigeria in their qualifying group.

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