Argentina coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said that despite the 2-2 draw against Mexico in Tuesday's friendly, the Albiceleste still dictated the pace of the game.
"Mexico scored goals, but Argentina were the protagonists," Martino told reporters. "Mexico never took leadership of the match, Argentina were the absolute protagonists -- with defects, errors and virtues."
Late goals from Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi capped Argentina's comeback from a two-goal deficit. Sergio Aguero beat goalkeeper Moises Munoz in the 85th minute after Ezequiel Lavezzi kept the ball from rolling over the end line and cut it back.
Four minutes later, Aguero lofted a 25-yard pass over defender Oswaldo Alanis as Messi timed a burst into the penalty area. Messi let the ball bounce off his chest into the air and then, while falling, poked a 7-yard shot past Munoz at the near post.
Martino said the course of the game was different from previous meetings between the two countries.
The two teams met at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the first time since the 2010 World Cup, a group-stage game won 3-1 by Argentina that saw Carlos Tevez score two goals.
"This is the match in which Argentina has had the most control of the game in a match against Mexico," Martino said. "They did a good job taking advantage of open spaces that we left, spaces that were consistent with a plan we have."
Martino said he anticipated Mexico's back line of five, even though Mexico were playing under new coach, Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti.
"Maybe it is not the preference of the coach, but it was the most logical from the point of view that this group has been playing with this system," Martino said. "There were no surprises for us."
Martino said he is familiar with Mexico's strengths.
"In general terms, we knew how to manage the match as we wanted to and we realize that in these counterpunches we are wide open and that is when they did the most damage. This shows the hierarchy of our opponent," he said.
Argentina are preparing for World Cup qualifying, which begins against Ecuador on Oct. 9, while Mexico are getting ready for a crucial one-match qualifier against the United States on Oct. 10 to determine the CONCACAF's lone 2017 Confederations Cup berth.