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Cristian PAVON or Gonzalo HIGUAIN to start for Argentina in Round of 16

Roy Nemer
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83
Cristian PAVON or Gonzalo HIGUAIN to start for Argentina in Round of 16

An Argentina rumored line-up is already out and it appears as though up front, it’ll be between Cristian PAVON or Gonzalo HIGUAIN.

Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI held a training session on Thursday and only Enzo PEREZ trained different due to a muscular problem. According to TyC Sports, SAMPAOLI could put out the same eleven against France which started against Nigeria with the exception being Cristian PAVON.

Per the report, there’s a small chance that PAVON would come in for Gonzalo HIGUAIN with Lionel MESSI playing the false number 9 role. Here’s the rumored eleven:

ARMANI, TAGLIAFICO, ROJO, OTAMENDI, MERCADO; DI MARIA, BANEGA, MASCHERANO, Enzo; PAVON or HIGUAIN, MESSI

Argentina players on yellow cards at the FIFA World Cup

Roy Nemer
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279
Argentina players on yellow cards at the FIFA World Cup

With Argentina having qualified for the Round of 16, all eyes have turned on the next match and the players who are on yellow cards.

While not looking too far ahead, no match at the FIFA World Cup is a guarantee. But should Argentina find themselves in the quarter finals, there are six players who were cautioned in the group stage and if they receive a second yellow, would miss the potential quarter final match agaisnt either Uruguay or Portugal.

Nicolas OTAMENDI, Gabriel MERCADO, Marcos ACUNA, Ever BANEGA, Javier MASCHERANO and Lionel MESSI are all on yellow cards. The first three having been cautioned against Croatia and the latter three against Nigeria.

All yellow cards are erased as of the quarter finals meaning a yellow in the Round of 16 for any one of those players and they would miss the quarter finals should Argentina progress.

Argentina press conference as Lionel MESSI, ROJO, SAMPAOLI all talk

Roy Nemer
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198
Argentina press conference as Lionel MESSI, ROJO, SAMPAOLI all talk

In what was a memorable match, the two Argentina goalscorers on the day Lionel MESSI and Marcos ROJO as well as coach Jorge SAMPAOLI gave their thoughts on the match and the World Cup.

The hero of the hour Marcos ROJO was up first. Here’s what he had to say:

“After the match against Croatia, we were more united than ever. This goal is for my family and for this group that deserves it. Vamos Argentina!”

Lionel MESSI stated that he was confident they would win and went on to thank the fans.

“We were confident that we would win this match. It’s marvelous to win this way. It’s deserved joy. I knew that God was with us and he wouldn’t leave us out.

“I thank everyone who is out here for all of the sacrifices they’ve made, and also those back in Argentina who have always supported us. This shirt comes before everything else.

“It was a very even match, where we controlled the ball in the first half. After the penalty, we played faster, more nervous, looking for the goal that would take us to the second round. Luckily, we found it.

“It was a very big mess for us all because we had just gone through some complicated days because of the previous matches. Thankfully we’re still on target.”

Coach Jorge SAMPAOLI spoke about how the match against France will be difficult and just like MESSI, thanked the fans who made the trip.

“These players played with heart and with a lot of rebellion. This will strengthen us for the future. With MESSI, we share a dream of doing something important in Russia.

“I thank everyone because they have made us feel like we were in Argentina. It made us very happy, on the pitch and like yesterday at the hotel. The regularity and consistency that the team had will allow us to play our next final. We’re going to play against a team that are candidates (to win the World Cup), it will be a very demanding match.

“We will play against a team that has a lot of great players individually. We will work on the collective part so that MESSI can have a great match like he did today.”

Lionel MESSI and Marcos ROJO keep Argentina at World Cup

Roy Nemer
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49
Lionel MESSI and Marcos ROJO keep Argentina at World Cup

Goals from Lionel MESSI and Marcos ROJO were enough to keep Argentina at the FIFA World Cup.

It wasn’t an easy match. It wasn’t supposed to be an easy match but no one would have predicted the way things panned out. The Albiceleste needed a win and for Iceland not to defeat Croatia in the other match in the group and some how, some way, the stars were aligned properly and Jorge SAMPAOLI’s men got the win.

A first half which saw Argentina dominate possession and possibly play their best half at the World Cup also saw Lionel MESSI score his first goal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A fabulous pass deep from midfield by Ever BANEGA, a touch off the knee by MESSI and a right footed finish put his country ahead. Lionel MESSI was up and running.

The captain nearly added a second when his free kick hit the post. It was 1-0 going into half time.

Javier MASCHERANO (who, depending on who you ask either played well or had a terrible game) gave away a penalty very early in the second half. Victor MOSES scored in the 51st minute and suddenly Argentina were not looking as comfortable.

Cristian PAVON came on for Enzo PEREZ, Maxi MEZA for Angel DI MARIA and Sergio AGUERO for Nicolas TAGLIAFICO. Jorge SAMPAOLI went all in.

Nigeria nearly added a second but a great stop by golkeeper Franco ARMANI kept the score at 1-1 and his country still in it. The Nigerian’s were looking for another penalty after Marcos ROJO won an aerial duel and the ball hit his hand but the referee said it wasn’t a penalty.

Gonzalo HIGUAIN had a fantastic opportunity to make it 2-1 but his shot went high and wide. Cristian PAVON received the ball who passed it out wide to Gabriel MERCADO as he sent in a low cross to find Marcos ROJO who’s right footed shot found the net and the celebrations were under way.

It was goal number two at a FIFA World Cup for Marcos ROJO with his first one coming against Nigeria in Brazil.

Argentina will play France in the next round.

Argentina starting eleven confirmed, Lionel MESSI and Gonzalo HIGUAIN start

Roy Nemer
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301
Argentina starting eleven confirmed, Lionel MESSI and Gonzalo HIGUAIN start

Argentina’s starting eleven for their match against Nigeria has been confirmed and up front, it will be Lionel MESSI and Gonzalo HIGUAIN.

As we reported on Monday, Enzo PEREZ has been battling fitness problems but appears to be at 100% and is expected to start the match. Franco ARMANI plays in his first ever match for Argentina as he replaces Willy CABALLERO. Eduardo SALVIO has been dropped in favor of Gabriel MERCADO who slots in at right back and it’ll be an all Manchester pairing as Marcos ROJO joins Nicolas OTAMENDI in the heart of the back line.

In midfield, Ever BANEGA gets his first start at a FIFA World Cup and Angel DI MARIA completes the 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation. Per reports, here is the Argentina eleven:

ARMANI; TAGLIAFICO, ROJO, OTAMENDI, MERCADO; BANEGA, MASCHERANO, Enzo; HIGUAIN, MESSI, DI MARIA

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