El Salvador players and fans were left bemused ahead of their friendly against Argentina when , instead of pumping out their national anthem , the stadium 's sound system instead played the anthem of Kazakhstan . The Central American minnows , ranked 89th in the world by FIFA , were facing the World Cup runners-up at Washington DC 's FedEx Field on Saturday but their large travelling support were unimpressed as the stadium DJ 's mistake became apparent ahead of kick-off . Rather than the familiar 'Himno Nacional de El Salvador ' , staff at the stadium which usually hosts the NFL 's Washington Redskins played out 'Menin Qazaqstanim ' . El Salvador players were left bemused when the Kazakhstan national anthem was played instead of theirs . The players , stood proud with hands on their chests , look confused by the error , glancing around . Having listened to the Kazakh anthem , the Salvadorans head for the handshakes with their heads down . Supporters instead the stadium had prepared a huge banner for the anthem but ended up booing it . El Salvador ( 5-4-1 ) : Carillo ; Flores , Mendoza , Molina , Renderos ( Ceren 88 ) , Larin ; Alvarez , Ceren , Menjivar ( Punyed 76 ) , Alas ( Santamaría 67 ) ; Bonilla ( Burgos 59 ) Argentina ( 4-2-3-1 ) : Guzman ; Zabaleta , Musacchio , Funes Mori , Orban ; Pereyra , Banega ; Di Maria ( Mancuello 73 ) , Lavezzi , Tevez ( Pastore 78 ) ; Higuain . Scorers : Renderos OG 54 , Mancuello 88 . The players stood out on the pitch , with their hands across their chests looked confused at first , before becoming increasingly frustrated as boos rang out on to the field . The supporters - who had prepared a 'Vamos Selecta , Houston ' flag to be carried over the crowd - reacted furiously . Washington is home to one of the largest Salvadoran communities outside of Central America and their followers outnumbered the Argentine support . To make things worse , El Salvador fell to an expected defeat against an Argentina side who left out Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero . The distance from El Salvador to Kazakhstan is 7,909 miles , a fairly big mistake for the stadium staff to make . Argentina players celebrate after Federico Mancuello ( left ) scored a goal during the international friendly . Lionel Messi was not required by Argentina in their 2-0 win , and neither was Manchester City 's Sergio Aguero . Gerardo Martino 's side dominated the game and took the lead in the 54th minute thanks to a Nestor Renderos own goal deflected from Ever Banega 's shot . Substitute Federico Mancuello then made sure of the win with a free kick from a tight angle on 88 minutes . Let us salute , the Motherland , proudly , . To be its children , called we can , . And let us swear our lives spiritedly , . Without rest to its good , consecrate ! Of peace enjoyed in perfect happiness , . El Salvador always nobly dreamed . To achieve this has been her eternal proposition , . To keep it , Her greatest glory . With inviolable faith , the path of progress , . She strives to follow , . To fulfill her great destiny , . And conquer a happy future . A stern barrier protects her , . Against the clash of vile disloyalty , . Ever since the day when her soaring flag , . Wrote Freedom with it 's blood . Translated from Spanish . Golden sun in the skies , . Golden seed in the steps , . Legend of courage , . Take a look at my country ! From the antiquity our heroic glory emerged , . They did not give up their honour , . My Kazakh people are strong ! The way was opened to the descendants , . By the vast land I have . Its unity is proper , . I have an independent country , . It welcomed the tests of time , . Like an eternal friend , . Our country is blessed , . Our country is such ! Translated from Kazakh .
Argentina beat El Salvador 78-0 in an international friendly in Washington . But Kazakhstan 's anthem was played at ground instead of El Salvador 's . Players and fans were left bemused by the bizarre error at the FedEx Field .