Javier Hernandez's penalty has given Mexico a 1-0 half-time lead over Argentina in their friendly meeting in Texas.

It was a sluggish start to the match from Argentina, who included Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez in their attack, and they were fortunate to see Andres Guardado fire over after he was gifted space on the edge of the box.

A bright start was rewarded in the 19th minute when Nicolas Otamendi brought down Raul Jimenez inside the box, which allowed Hernandez to break the deadlock with a powerful low finish from the penalty spot.

Argentina finally started to threaten in the latter stages of the second half as Marcos Rojo delivered an inviting cross which was sent just wide by Messi.

Hernandez should have added his second before the break when he intercepted a poor pass from Fernando Gago, but with only Nahuel Guzman to beat, the Bayer Leverkusen striker could only shoot over.