Argentina defender Gabriel MERCADO has left Sevilla to join Al Rayyan in Qatar.
The club announced the signing of the 32 year old through their social media channel. He had been with Sevilla since 2016 and impressed enough to be included in Argentina’s 2018 FIFA World Cup team.
MERCADO was left out of the Copa America squad by Lionel SCALONI.
Argentina national team coach Lionel SCALONI appears to still have a few doubts in regards to his starting eleven.
The first training session has been held in Brazil and SCALONI made a few changes to the eleven which started the 5-1 win against Nicaragua. German PEZZELLA, Nicolas TAGLIAFICO and Angel DI MARIA were all in the eleven in training. Here were the players tried out:
ARMANI; SARAVIA, PEZZELLA, OTAMENDI, TAGLIAFICO; LO CELSO, Guido RODRIGUEZ, PEREYRA, DI MARIA; MESSI, AGÜERO
In regards to PEZZELLA, he trained without the protective mask which he had been wearing since his surgery. However, SCALONI is reportedly still thinking of starting either the Fiorentina man or Juan FOYTH.
In midfield, it will either be Leandro PAREDES or Roberto PEREYRA fighting for a spot while it looks like Angel DI MARIA will surely start instead of Matias SUAREZ.
On this day in 2006, Argentina defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 at the FIFA World Cup.
It was Argentina’s opening match of the tournament in Germany 2006 and it was against World Cup debutant, Didier DROGBA’s Ivory Coast. A star studded Argentina team coached by Jose PEKERMAN who had managed many of the players from youth level. Argentina picked up a 2-1 win with Hernan CRESPO scoring the first, Javier SAVIOLA the second and Juan Roman RIQUELME assisting both.
Roberto AYALA had a goal disallowed early in the 14th minute after his header appeared (or not) to have crossed the line. Luckily for Argentina, a foul on Hernan CRESPO lead to an Argentina free kick. Up stepped RIQUELME who sent one into the Ivorian area and CRESPO was the first to pounce on the ball. Just like that it was 1-0 for the Albiceleste.
The second goal was pure genius by Juan Roman RIQUELME. An absolutely deadly pass in from Argentina’s number 10 lead SAVIOLA in one on one with the goalkeeper and SAVIOLA with the lightest of touches scored the second.
Here was Argentina’s starting XI for the match:
1. Roberto ABBONDANZIERI
2. Roberto AYALA
3. Juan Pablo SORIN
5. Esteban CAMBIASSO
6. Gabriel HEINZE
7. Javier SAVIOLA
8. Javier MASCHERANO
9. Hernan CRESPO
10. Juan Roman RIQUELME
18. Maxi RODRIGUEZ
21. Nicolas BURDISSO
Argentina earned a historic point when they drew 0-0 against Japan at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Played with heart and desire, the women made the country proud as they earned their first ever point at the tournament. Up against the 2011 World Cup winners and runners up in 2015, Argentina were far from favorites in their first group stage match.
The #PlayeroftheMatch presented by @Visa is @Argentina's @EstefiBanini_10! #ARGJPN @VisaArgentina | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/pGiersGDLT
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 10, 2019
Here’s what coach Carlos BORRELLO had to say after the match:
“We knew that if we opened up, we would get hurt. For that reason we stayed more conservative during the game. Now to rest and think about the next game.
“Hopefully this will be the start of professional futbol in Argentina. I hope that this will excite everyone and it starts to grow.”
The next match is on June 14 against England in their second group match.
The Argentina national team has landed in Brazil ahead of the 2019 Copa America and we could see Angel DI MARIA in place of Matias SUAREZ in the starting eleven.
Lionel SCALONI’s team will be looking for their first senior international title after 26 years and their first match will be on Saturday, June 15 against Colombia. The starting eleven is still not set in stone with coach SCALONI thinking of possibly making a change or changes.
Per a report by TyC Sports, Matias SUAREZ of River Plate is a doubt and there is a chance that Angel DI MARIA could replace him in the starting eleven. Per the Argentine news outlet, here’s the potential starting eleven.
ARMANI; SARAVIA, PEZELLA, OTANENDI, TAGLIAFICO; LO CELSO, Guido RODRIGUEZ, PAREDES; MESSI, AGÜERO, SUAREZ or DI MARIA
