Scaloni’s side are playing fantastic football and should have no trouble taking three points at home.
Lionel Messi will be Argentina’s key threat on Wednesday, looking to exploit their old foes’ defence while creating opportunities for his teammates to score goals. In this article, we will discuss about Argentina National Football Team vs Uruguay National Football Team Lineups.
Argentina
Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s game due to a hamstring injury; however, manager Lionel Scaloni is known for not adhering to rigid football dogma and can alter tactics as needed if an initial plan does not succeed.
Argentina boasts a deep squad, including players like Otamendi, Romero and Emiliano Martinez forming a formidable defensive spine. However, their greatest strength lies in midfield where Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul combine to set the tempo and provide offensive threat.
Starting in 1902, Argentina and Uruguay’s historic rivalry has featured in some unforgettable matches since. Both teams contested two World Cup finals and eight South American Championship title deciders between 1916 and 1967; their next clash will mark yet another chapter in this longstanding rivalry.
Uruguay
On Thursday, March 22, two South American powerhouses will face each other in a friendly at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Even without Lionel Messi present, La Albiceleste are heavy favorites to claim victory in this match-up.
Rodrigo Bentancur, of Barcelona fame, should team up with Gimenez at the center of Uruguay’s defense. The 24-year-old has featured in all three qualifying campaigns leading up to this World Cup tournament.
Alejandro Garnacho will have to wait for his debut with Argentina after enjoying an outstanding Premier League campaign and being seen as the successor to Angel Di Maria.
Ecuador will rely on Hernan Galindez between the posts for this match, who has started all World Cup qualifying games so far. Former Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo is expected to provide additional support in an attempt to strengthen Ecuador’s midfield and spearhead its success at Russia 2018.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi will lead Argentina in their final warmup before starting the 2024 Copa America, which kicks off June 19. La Albiceleste defeated Ecuador and Guatemala during recent international friendly matches, before winning another match-up against Brazil on September 24.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi boasts an incredible goal-scoring record with La Albiceleste, scoring 108 times from 138 appearances over his career. His incredible skill will be crucial to La Albiceleste’s chances of success this summer.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte and Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Bentancur are key players to watch out for in this game, particularly as central midfielders who will help create chances for Messi and Lautaro Martinez to score goals. Real Madrid winger Federico Valverde had an outstanding 2023-24 season in Spain, creating opportunities for his teammates – possibly featuring in more advanced roles alongside Martinez.
Luis Suarez
Argentina will be without several key players for this match, such as Paulo Dybala, Nehuen Perez, Marcos Acuna, Gonzalo Montiel and Exequiel Palacios – but still expects a solid lineup behind goalkeeper Lionel Scaloni.
Luis Suarez of Inter Miami stood out as an impressive inclusion when national team coach Marcelo Bielsa named a 26-man squad on Saturday.
Suarez earned his place on La Celeste after an outstanding Premier League season with Liverpool, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists. He will join Lautaro Martinez as center forwards alongside Enzo Fernandez, Alexis MacAllister, Rodrigo De Paul, as well as Enzo Fernandez from Spain (Enzo Fernandez’s former club). Here is La Celeste’s complete squad list as they look to capture their 16th Copa America championship this summer in America!
Lautaro Martinez
After suffering one of the greatest shocks ever seen at a World Cup tournament opener, Argentina quickly rebounded with victories against Mexico and Poland – although their clash against hosts Brazil could present another difficult test for Lionel Scaloni’s men who aim to capture their first Copa America crown since 2022.
Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez are currently competing to take their respective countries’ starting striker roles, though Messi remains their ultimate talisman.
Argentina are reigning Copa America champions, boasting an elite squad led by Lionel Messi who has featured in seven of the last eight finals. Argentina will kick-off their campaign against Canada in Washington on Thursday and can be watched live on Fubo (7-day free trial), FOX Deportes Max, and TruTV USA.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez is an integral member of Argentina’s squad, playing as a midfielder known for his ability to break up play and recycle possession. This season he has earned three Serie A Player of the Month awards.
Lionel Scaloni will look to Fernandez to help his side prevent any defensive missteps against Uruguay, who have conceded just four goals over their past 14 matches and only been defeated twice since winning the World Cup final in 2022.
Bielsa will likely select the same starting XI that beat Brazil last week. Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo could join Nahitan Nandez and Sebastian Coates in the back four, Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte could partner Matias Vecino central midfield, and River Plate’s Nicolas de la Cruz should retain his starting place up front.
Alexis MacAllister
After two-and-a-half years in exile from his national team, MacAllister is poised to reenter this game after playing five World Cup qualification matches for Argentina. He offers both defensive tenacity and potency when attacking.
He could be used alongside Nahitan Nandez and Ronald Araujo in a defensive double pivot formation. During his debut season at Liverpool, only Joao Palhinha (Leeds) made more ‘true tackles’ per 1,000 opponent touches than him.
Argentina are currently unbeaten in four CONMEBOL qualifying matches and come into this game at La Bombonera as undisputed leaders of their standings. Under Lionel Scaloni’s watchful eye, his side should cruise to victory at home comfortably – it would certainly mark a win at La Bombonera against one of their main rivals! Marcelo Bielsa will look to maintain their attacking approach and exploit any gaps Uruguay may leave behind them in order to earn three points against them.
Rodrigo De Paul
The “Clasico de la Plata” is one of the oldest international rivalries outside the UK, pitting Uruguay and Argentina in numerous historically significant matches such as two World Cup finals (1928 and 1930), the inaugural World Cup final in 1916, as well as eight South American Championship title deciders between 1916-1967.
Even without Lionel Messi in their ranks, La Albiceleste should still be able to dominate in this friendly match and claim an easy victory. La Albiceleste may use this matchup as an early tuneup for Copa America and test out different structures and playing combinations before starting its tournament campaign in June.
Alongside established stars, the squad will include promising young players like Rodrigo De Paul, who has started finding his groove for his national side with an impressive run of form. His pace and ball-winning abilities should prove crucial against an opponent that lacks physicality.
Cristian Romero
Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris is an integral member of Argentina’s backline, beginning every significant match since starting against France at the World Cup final in 2022.
He should start against Canada, though he may face competition from Gonzalo Montiel from Colombia.
Nicolas Tagliafico could return to Argentina’s starting XI following being rested against Ecuador, as his support could prove key against an ineffective Canada attack.
Nicolas Tagliafico
Argentina have only managed to win one of their World Cup qualifiers since winning 2022 and are now second behind Uruguay in Group D qualifying. They are led by Otamendi, Romero and Emiliano Martinez but also boast strong midfield players including Enzo Fernandez (tempo-setting midfielder) as well as Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister who can deliver.
Nicolas Tagliafico has joined up the squad as the latest defender, potentially competing with Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel for starting spots. Additionally, Pablo Maffeo from Mallorca and River Plate defender German Pezzella could battle it out for right-back positions while Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, and Lautaro Martinez can offer additional attacking options.
