Messi, Neymar Jr and Rafinha star for their countries

FC Barcelona trio Lionel Messi, Rafinha and Neymar Jr starred for their respective nations in Wednesday’s international friendlies in the United States.

Argentina took on Mexico in Texas, where the Albiceleste needed an 89th minute strike from Messi to salvage a 2-2 draw after trailing by two goals for the large part of the game.

In Massachusetts, Rafinha made his second international appearance for Brazil and got his name on the scoresheet in a 4-1 thrashing of the United States, while Neymar grabbed a brace.

Ahead of the encounter between Argentina and Mexico, Messi was reunited with former Barça colleague Rafael Márquez as the two players led their teams out of the tunnel as captains of either side.  

Javier Hernandez opened the scoring after 19 minutes from the penalty spot before Hector Herrera doubled El Tri’s advantage in the second half.

Messi-inspired revivial

Argentina looked dead and buried but Sergio Aguero’s tap-in with five minutes left handed them a lifeline. The Manchester City forward then turned provider as Messi’s low-driven shot squirmed through the legs of Moisés Muñoz to level the game.

Easy win for Brazil

Rafinha and Neymar Jr both started on the bench against the United States but came on to make a telling impact on the match. Leading 1-0, Barça’s no.11 came on for Willian and it only took five minutes for him to make an impact, scoring from the penalty spot to make it 2-0. It was then Rafinha’s turn to leave his mark on the game, combining well with Douglas Costa on 64 minutes to score his first international goal. Neymar tucked away his second just three minutes later to put the game beyond any doubt while the home side got a consolation goal in the 90th minute.