This game is spluttering and stuttering like an old banger. More hold-up and re-jig as Tiago Gomes comes off injured to be replaced by 20-year-old Raphael Guerreiro for Portugal.

Atmosphere punctured by the substitutions, we are back underway.

It looks like it is a superstar truce.

Lionel Messi is off with Nicolas Gaitan introduced.

The crowd murmur their discontent as the announcements are made.

Portugal are back out and Cristiano Ronaldo's Old Trafford return is over.

He, Pepe and Danny all make way with Eder, Jose Fonte and Ricardo Quaresma on in their place.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"Lionel Messi may have had the better first 45 minutes and he also went closest to breaking the deadlock, but it was Cristiano Ronaldo who stole the show at half-time, walking off to a standing ovation from the Stretford End and returning the applause as he walked off.

"The Portugal fans are here in greater numbers than their Argentine counterparts, but that Ronaldo reception was definitely down to his past exploits on this pitch for Manchester United."

Image source, AP

Like a little blue and white comet shooting across the Old Trafford turf, Lionel Messi has left a tail of red-shirted defenders trailing in his wake on several occasions.

Argentina have had six shots at goal, two on target. Portugal have managed just two effort, both wide of the mark.

Image source, Getty Images

That is no way to greet Martin Atkinson. Cristiano Ronaldo comes over all Agincourt on his return to England.

A Cristiano Ronaldo shot stings, imagine what it feels to get the boot that propels them in your chest.

Cristian Ansaldi doesn't need to. The Argentina defender feels the full force as Ronaldo swings his right peg at a volley and catches only ribcage.

It was accidental, and Ansaldi is back into the action.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

"It's a strange atmosphere at Old Trafford, even considering this is a friendly on neutral ground. Keep your eyes closed and you would still know when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are on the ball, or even near it, because of the screams and the whistles.

"Otherwise, the game is sometimes being played in near silence and you can even hear the occasional yell from the managers and players."

Martin Demichelis has got the job of marking Cristiano Ronaldo at corners and is banking on the strength of his grappling arms rather the spring in his ageing knees.

The Manchester City man keeps Ronaldo earth-bound as Bruno Alves heads Nani's corner against his team-mate.

Portugal are getting into it after a sharp start from Argentina.

Joao Moutinho also has his name taken after a cynical shoulder barge on the edge of the box.

Lionel Messi can't administer more severe punishment though, clouting a free-kick over the top from a good position.

Argentina defender Cristian Ansaldi sends Cristiano Ronaldo tumbling. Not a lot of malice in it, but Cristiano Ronaldo's pace means that the collision looks dramatic.

The yellow card pops out of referee Martin Atkinson's pocket.

The crowd ohh, ahh, but the cheers stick in their throats as Cristiano Ronaldo hammers high and over the top from a tight angle after twisting and turning Facundo Roncaglia.

Danny was unmarked in the middle. But it would take some nerves to tell Ronnie what to do.

Argentina are dictating terms so far. There are wave after wave of Albiceleste attacks, not quite a storm, but it is getting choppy out there.

Javier Pastore heads the ball into Beto's gloves from Facundo Roncaglia's cross in their latest raid.

Jay on Twitter:, external Was that payback from Nani?

Image source, PA

That is one way to win your Manchester United place back.

Nani, on loan at Sporting Lisbon, lands all eight studs on Angel di Maria's shin, sending the Argentine to the turf clutching and writhing.

Louis van Gaal looks down from the posh seat with his spectacles on the end of his nose and will be relieved to see United's record signing back and running, albeit gingerly, after treatment.

That is the sort of quality that QPR have not missed at all this season.

Jose Bosingwa, now at Trabzonspor in Turkey, badly over-hits a cross when he had time to pick out his man.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

Image source, PA

"There is a lot of noise whenever Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi are in possession, and it gets louder the nearer they get to goal - rising to its highest volume yet when Messi played that neat one-two and hit the post.

"The cheers are mixed with some jeering from the Portugal fans whenever Messi gets the ball, but Ronaldo is the only player to have been booed by his own fans in the first few minutes - when he left a Portugal free-kick near the edge of the Argentina box for Nani to take."

If this was a rap battle, Lionel Messi has just swiped the mic and landed a decent comeback.

The Barcelona man gives and goes and his pace gets him in behind Tiago Gomes before Pepe has a chance to step up.

Goalkeeper Beto comes rushing out to close the tight angle, but Messi's stabbed shot gets between his legs and only stays out thanks to a deflection off the inside of the near post.