Jorge Sampaoli enjoyed his second victory in as many matches as new Argentina boss as his side put six past a game, but overmatched, Singapore.

It took Argentina - minus the rested Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain - a while to get into their stride against a red wall of defence that were always going to put numbers behind the ball. But as soon as Federico Fazio waltzed in unopposed to sidefoot the ball home from the corner, the match was never in doubt.

Joaquin Correa doubled Argentina’s lead before the break, again tapping home following a set piece and the visitors then turned on the style.

The excellent Alejandro Gomez capped a fine performance with a thunderous third and sub Leandro Paredes curled home a superb fourth on debut. Two further goals from Lucas Alario and Angel di Maria in injury time was tough on a weary Singapore, who will have learned much for their Asia Cup matches to come.

For Argentina, tougher tests await in their stuttering World Cup qualification campaign. But they will surely arrive to face Uruguay in Montevideo in a more confident frame of mind.