Scaloni, quoted on the Argentina national team's Twitter page, said: "We have to be happy because two players as important as Icardi and Dybala were unlocked.

"They are going to give the fans a lot of joy.

"We're happy because everyone played, that was the goal. I think with the changes the team got looser."

Icardi capped a box-to-box move, knocking down a long ball from keeper Geronimo Rulli to Erik Lamela, who returned the pass for Icardi to score.

He said: "The goal was something I needed."

Argentina have had a resurgence of form since a disappointing second-round exit at this summer's World Cup, winning four of their six games under interim coach Scaloni.

The side looked the livelier of the two in Mendoza, with Victor Guzman having the best chance for Mexico in the opening frame but firing a free kick over the bar.

The second half saw a raft of changes with Paulo Dybala wrapping up the victory six minutes after coming on for Icardi.

Giovanni Simeone sprinted down the wing and played the ball into Dybala who found the right corner on 87 minutes for his first international goal.

Mexico coach Ricardo Ferretii said: "The players need to keep on growing in order to become what we are expecting of them."

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