Maxi winner gets Maradona off the mark

Scotland 0-1 Argentina
Diego Maradona's first match in charge of the Albicelestes ended in success as Maxi Rodríguez's early strike separated his Argentina side and Scotland at Hampden Park.

Star attraction
The Argentina legend, who scored the first of 34 goals for his country in Glasgow in 1979, had been afforded a heroes' welcome by both sets of supporters in the build-up to the match and the euphoria certainly rubbed off on his players as Maxi capped a sublime flowing move with the only goal on eight minutes.

McGregor save
The visiting players appeared eager to impress the new man at the helm in the early stages as Scotland struggled to retain possession. George Burley's men were thankful to goalkeeper Allan McGregor on six minutes when he parried Javier Mascherano's stinging volley after some adroit work from Maxi, but the goalkeeper was unable to prevent Argentina taking the lead when Carlos Tévez scuttled down the right flank and slipped the ball inside to Jonás Gutiérrez, who in turn laid a pass off perfectly for Club Atlético de Madrid midfielder Maxi to slide inside the near post.

McFadden chances
Scotland slowly seized a foothold in the contest with James McFadden instrumental in their best moments of the first half. The striker had a drive deflected over by Martín Demichelis following a low Kris Commons cross, then the 25-year-old capitalised on an error by the same defender only to fire straight at Juan Pablo Carrizo. Chances were scarce after the interval with Maxi slicing wide after Maradona's charges sprung forwards on the counterattack, while Lee Miller should have levelled when rising to meet fellow substitute Shaun Maloney's corner but headed well wide.