Copa America 2019: Lionel Messi's brace helps Argentina wrap preparations with 5-1 win against Nicaragua

Lionel Messi's brace helped Argentina wrapped up their Copa America preparations with a 5-1 win over Nicaragua on Friday.

Having ended his international absence in March's shock loss to Venezuela, Messi scored two goals in two minutes. He opened the scoring with a stunning solo effort in the 37th minute.

After going past three defenders, Messi rebounded Sergio Aguero's shot just seconds later to take his international tally to 67 goals.

Lautaro Martinez came off the bench and scored a second-half brace against the visitors, while Roberto Pereyra added a fifth late.

Nicaragua's Juan Barrera converted a goal in the 91st-minute penalty to put a blemish on Argentina's performance.

And Inter's Martinez sealed the victory by curling a shot into the bottom corner of the net with 27 minutes remaining, before firing home a fourth from close range 10 minutes later.

Messi and Finals:

Messi has lost three Copa finals -- 2007, 2015 and 2016 -- and the last time Argentina won an international title was in the same competition back in 1993 when the diminutive forward was just six years old. 

What's next?

Argentina will open their Copa America campaign against Colombia in Salvador on June 15. Nicaragua will face co-hosts Costa Rica in their CONCACAF Gold Cup opener a day later.