Football
ESPN staff 9y

Carlos Tevez delighted at finally returning to Argentina starting XI

Carlos Tevez said he was "overjoyed" at making his first start for Argentina in almost four years in the 2-0 friendly win against El Salvador on Saturday.

Tevez, who was fielded up front alongside Gonzalo Higuain by Gerardo Martino, was left in the international wilderness by former boss Alejandro Sabella.

However, following Martino's appointment last summer, the Juventus forward made his first appearance since 2011's Copa America from off the bench against Croatia in November, before starting in Saturday's clash in Washington, D.C.

"I was overjoyed -- playing from the start is totally different to being brought off the bench," Tevez is quoted as saying by Goal.

"It definitely gives you more confidence. This game can be good for the team because plenty of our potential Copa America 2015 opponents play in such a closed-up manner. It requires patience to break the deadlock and we are on the right track.

"We must continue to grow but this is just the beginning and it was important for me personally to get more game time for my country."

Ever Banega and Federico Mancuello found the back of the net for Argentina, who were without an unfit Lionel Messi.

Martino's side next face Ecuador in another friendly on Wednesday.

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