MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 15:10:16| >> :120:3798:3798:
[monks data]
Argentina national football team
Friendlies 1
Jun 10, 2024 at 12am UK
Soldier Field
Ecuador national football team

Argentina
1 - 0
Ecuador

di Maria (40')
Gonzalez (90+1')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Caicedo (11'), Gruezo (66')

How Argentina could line up against Ecuador

How Argentina could line up against Ecuador
© Reuters
Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Argentina could line up for Sunday's international friendly clash with Ecuador.

Lionel Messi is poised to make his first international appearance of 2024 when Argentina take on Ecuador in Sunday's Copa America warm-up game against Ecuador in Chicago.

Argentina's all-time appearance holder and record goalscorer was forced to sit out March's two friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica.

However, he is now set to don the famous blue and white for the first time since playing 78 minutes in November's 2026 World Cup qualifier against Brazil.

While Messi is poised to start, reports have suggested that Scaloni could give some fringe players the chance to impress as he continues to consider which three players should be cut from his 29-man provisional squad.

Lisandro Martinez may be given valuable game time after returning from injury to feature in Manchester United's final three matches of the campaign, including their 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

The 26-year-old could line up alongside Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina and Marcos Acuna, offering protection to Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez.

Roma's Leandro Paredes may get a rare starting opportunity, having featured from the off in just one of Argentina's eight matches, and he could be joined in midfield by Atletico Madrid's Rodrigo De Paul and Tottenham Hotspur's Giovani Lo Celso.

Alejandro Garnacho is hoping to make his first appearance since scoring in Man United's FA Cup triumph at Wembley, with the youngster among those who could be considered to start in attack alongside Messi and one of Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez.

The latter has tended to get the starting opportunities in recent times, but Martinez could be given the opportunity to start and stake a claim for the number nine spot ahead of this summer's Copa America in the USA.

Argentina possible starting lineup: E Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Li Martinez, Acuna; Paredes, Fernandez, Lo Celso; Messi, Garnacho, La Martinez

ID:545435:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3451:No Data Analysis info
Game History

How you voted: Argentina vs Ecuador

Argentina
81.5%
Draw
11.9%
Ecuador
6.7%
135
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts on November 16, 2023
Read Next:
Argentina Copa America 2024 squad: Who makes the cut? Which stars miss out?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!