BUENOS AIRES, Sept 8: Carlos Tevez laid on two goals and scored a third as Argentina beat world champions Spain 4-1 in a friendly at the Monumental on Tuesday.

Argentina, rebuilding after World Cup coach Diego Maradona was let go, scored two early goals in the space of three minutes.

Lionel Messi, appearing marginally offside, chipped brilliantly over Pepe Reina from a through ball by Carlos Tevez, who minutes earlier shot just wide in Argentina's first attack.

Gonzalo Higuain scored the second from a narrow angle after being put through by Tevez, again justifying coach Sergio Batista's decision to field him in a three-man strike force, and rounding Reina.

The goalkeeper was at fault with the third just past the half hour. He slipped going to kick a back pass by Alvaro Arbeloa and the busy Tevez was rewarded for a trademark chase by just beating Reina to the ball to scoop it in close to the near post.

Fernando Llorente pulled one back from fellow substitute Pedro's square ball into the middle of the box with six minutes remaining before Serio Aguero headed a stoppage-time fourth for Argentina.

When the score was still 2-0, a David Villa free kick hit the angle of post and bar and Argentina had another narrow escape five minutes before the interval.

Argentina benefited from the return of Esteban Cambiasso in midfield although the success story in that department was Ever Banegas.

Banegas was everywhere in midfield supplying the forwards after helping Mascherano with the ball winning for a team that did not need to depend excessively on Messi.—Reuters