Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni seems to have ten of his eleven players set for the match against Ecuador.
Lionel Scaloni’s team begin the journey to the 2022 FIFA World Cup against Ecuador on Thursday and the doubt in the starting eleven appears to be between the goalkeepers. Emiliano Martinez started in goal during the last training session on Tuesday but it could be between Martinez, Franco Armani and Esteban Andrada to start. However, per a report by TNT Sports, Martinez is expected to be selected.
With an injury to Gio Lo Celso opening up a spot in midfield, Marcos Acuna looks to be the one to replace him. Per TNT Sports, here is the starting eleven:
Argentina are set to begin their road to the 2022 World Cup against Ecuador on Thursday as we look back on a magical night in Buenos Aires on June 2, 2012 where Alejandro Sabella’s attack was too much for Ecuador.
It was Argentina’s first competitive match of 2012, having previously gotten a victory against Switzerland earlier in the year thanks to Lionel Messi’s first hattrick for his country. Alejandro Sabella’s team were still riding high from their come from behind win in Barranquilla against Colombia and were looking to get all three points on home soil.
Alejandro Sabella set up the attacking quartet or the fantastic four of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain all from the start. Here was his starting eleven:
Sergio Romero Pablo Zabaleta Ezequiel Garay Federico Fernandez Clemente Rodriguez Javier Mascherano Fernando Gago Angel Di Maria Sergio Aguero Lionel Messi Gonzalo Higuain
In a match where Argentina came out 4-0 victors, it was the fantastic four which did the scoring. Di Maria would receive the ball and play a one-two with Messi which would see Di Maria dink the ball over the entire Ecuador back line and Aguero with a clinical finish would give Argentina the lead 20 minutes into the match.
The second goal was a counter attack for the ages. Lionel Messi would run towards the Ecuadorian back line and play a ball into Higuain and the number 9 would make it look easy and double the lead.
It was Messi’s turn to score and Higuain would play provider. Arguably Argentina’s best attacking goal in a long time as Messi would receive the ball in his own half and run full speed towards Ecuador. He would play a pass to Higuain and Higuain would return it as Messi’s touch would place the ball in the top corner of the net.
Di Maria would also join the party. Messi would once more torment Ecuador as his shot would be blocked and land to Jose Sosa as Sosa would cross it to Di Maria and Di Maria with a volley into the bottom corner of the net would close out a memorable night.
Ezequiel Lavezzi would come in for Gonzalo Higuain, Jose Sosa for Sergio Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez for Angel Di Maria as Alejandro Sabella went with more attack minded changes.
Eduardo Salvio has tested negative and will remain with the Argentina national team.
As we reported earlier, the Argentine tested a few times for COVID and per new reports, Salvio tested negative with the player himself confirming it. He had previously tested positive while with the squad and missed Tuesday afternoon’s training.
Eduardo Salvio has tested negative and positive for COVID while with the Argentina national team.
Salvio was one of the Boca Juniors players who had tested positive for COVID back in August. While fully recovering, Salvio, along with the rest of the Argentina team, went through more tests upon arriving with the squad. Per a report by TyC Sports, Salvio underwent a test which he tested positive for antibodies which is normal after having already contracted the virus.
However, a PCR test was done on Salvio where he tested positive, which is what has the team and himself worried. He underwent a third test which proved negative. A fourth test has been done and they are waiting for the results.
Per precaution, Salvio did not take part in the training session on Tuesday afternoon.
Emiliano Martínez has been called to the Argentina national team and he spoke about being with the team and about asking Lionel Messi for a photo.
Martínez has been on an impressive form and is with the Argentina national team for the World Cup qualifiers this week. Speaking in an interview with Ole, here’s what he had to say:
“Everything is positive. It’s my first call up to the Argentina national team for a World Cup qualifier. For that, to be here, it’s a dream. Being here, I am happy.
“The truth is that I will enjoy it and will try to give my best. If I’m selected, good. Otherwise, I’ll cheer on whoever is selected.”
About the competition among the other players:
“The nice thing is that beyond them being great goalkeepers, they are all nice people. And you have to support whoever it is.”
In regards to asking Lionel Messi for a photo:
“I still have to ask him for a photo. For my family and for my son Santi. I want to have it for him for when he grows up, so that he knows who was the best of them all… I’m embarrassed to ask because everyone asks him for one.”
