Inter Miami's newest recruit Lionel Messi scored after barely a minute as the talisman forward guided Argentina to a 2-0 friendly win over Australia in Beijing on Thursday. The former PSG star and seven-time Ballon d'Or winner curled in from the edge of the area after just 81 seconds following slack defending by the Socceroos. In front of a vociferous crowd of more than 50,000 adoring fans, Messi nearly notched a rapid second but lashed into the side netting from a tight angle. Australia did stabilise after an early set-back and nearly equalised when attacker Mitchell Duke forced Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to tip a close-range shot onto the post. Messi and fellow Argentina veteran Angel di Maria both drew saves from Australia stopper Mat Ryan at the start of the second half. However, the Australian team were no match for the World Champions when Pezzella made it 2-0 in the 68th minute.