The Argentina squad have left tonight (9.30pm local time) for Barcelona were they will continue their preparation for the World Cup in Russia. All 23 players including members of the coaching staff and delegates from the AFA were seen leaving on a bus from Ezeiza towards the airport.
Some of the players took the opportunity to wish everyone goodbye on their Instagram account.
The journey for that elusive third World Cup glory has officially begun!
Argentina played a friendly “despedida” match against Haiti last night, taking care of the Caribbean side 4-0 and leaving their home country with a good feeling and hope for the coming month-plus.
A total of 17 players took part in the match, as six substitutions were allowed. Notable players like Paulo DYBALA, Lucas BIGLIA and Gabriel MERCADO weren’t used, the latter two likely due to carrying knocks.
Here are the players who participated and their ratings for their performances in the match.
Didn’t get even a sniff of the ball outside of a few pass-backs. Not the best match to judge him on.
Rating: N/A
Consistently got forward and provided another form of attack from the left flank. Tracked back well on defense when needed and showed passion and energy. Has earned his spot as the starting left back at the World Cup.
Rating: 8.5/10
Wasn’t tested in defense, but he had a couple of loose passes and didn’t look all that comfortable. Still likely to start against Iceland, but Marcos ROJO looked more assured than him.
Rating: 6/10
Like FAZIO, wasn’t threatened all that often, but he stepped up and cut out passes when the opportunity arrived. Also made some stellar long passes from his deep position.
Rating: 8.5/10
Playing in an unnatural position, SALVIO held up well and consistently got forward with pace and dribbling ability. Committed one or two unneeded fouls and got himself into a few precarious situations with the ball, but played well overall.
Rating: 7/10
Earning his Argentina record 143rd cap, MASCHERANO looked like the younger version of himself at times, making several important tackles in the midfield. He also created a fair share of chances with long passes. Perhaps El Jefecito isn’t over the hill just yet.
Rating: 7.5/10
LO CELSO appears to improve as every match goes by. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has played center mid for both PSG and Argentina as of late. In this match, he seamlessly linked the defense with the attack and always made the right decision. His movement with the ball, great vision and ability to make sound tackles in defense has made him indispensable for SAMPAOLI.
Rating: 9/10
DI MARIA’s only saving grace at this point is that he’s willing to take on defenders and never gets tired, which allows him to track back on defense. His final touches/decisions are nothing short of terrible at this point and he doesn’t even look at TAGLIAFICO when he makes forward runs from his left back spot. Cristian PAVON did more in his first few minutes on the pitch than DI MARIA did in an hour. SAMPAOLI has a conundrum on his hands.
Rating: 4.5/10
Didn’t quite recreate the magic of his performance against Italy, but was solid with the ball at his feet and connected well with MESSI and the other attackers.
Rating: 6.5/10
What more is there to say about the guy? In the team’s farewell match, the captain notched a hat-trick and an assist and sent the team off in style. This might be the best condition and form MESSI has ever arrived to an international tournament in.
Rating: 9.5/10
As has become customary, he missed one too many chances and just seems lost for confidence right now. He can’t be counted on as the starting number nine, especially for a team that’s starving for goals.
Rating: 5.5/10
Like all of the other center backs, ROJO wasn’t given opportunities to defense, but seemed more comfortable than FAZIO. Made a couple of good passes and could prove to be a threat to FAZIO’s starting spot.
Rating: 7/10
Came on for LANZINI and played more of a midfielder role than he did against Spain. Took on defenders at times and had a couple of link-ups with MESSI. Also tracked back well and covered for SALVIO when he got forward.
Rating: 7/10
Seven minutes after stepping on the pitch, PAVON assisted MESSI’s third goal by weaving his way through three players and lacing a left-footed pass to the middle of the box. He was a bit unsettled at first, but got more comfortable as the nerves wore off. PAVON’s dynamism and clever decision making will force SAMPAOLI to give him a lot of playing time in Russia, possibly at the expense of DI MARIA.
Rating: 8/10
There should be no more debate as to who Argentina’s number nine needs to be. AGUERO’s goal 10 minutes after coming on was vintage, as he held off a defender with his impeccable lower body strength, caught up to a MESSI through ball and lifted his finish past the goalkeeper. Looked lively, both when making runs and when dropping back and passing. Argentina needs AGUERO to stay healthy for the entire World Cup.
Rating: 8.5/10
Got about 20 minutes of action, but Argentina was content to pass the ball around the middle of the field by that point.
Rating: N/A
Only played 15 minutes, but he has fallen way behind LO CELSO in the pecking order. Still could prove to be valuable in Russia when Argentina needs to hold the ball with a lead.
Rating: N/A
Following Argentina’s 4-0 win versus Haiti, some statistics emerged from the match.
Lionel MESSI’s goal scoring run for Argentina continues and he has taken his tally to 28 different National Teams. Here are some of the statistics coming out of Argentina’s latest match.
Lionel MESSI has now scored 6 goals in his last three matches for Argentina or two hat tricks in his last three matches.
Lionel MESSI has now scored at least one goal for Argentina for the past 13 years.
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
Lionel MESSI has now scored against 28 different National Teams. In order:
Croatia (2 goals)
Serbia & Montenegro (1 goal)
Algeria (2 goals)
Peru (1 goal)
Mexico (3 goals)
Venezuela (4 goals)
Colombia (3 goals)
Uruguay (4 goals)
France (1 goal)
Spain (2 goals)
Brazil (4 goals)
Portugal (1 goal)
Albania (1 goal)
Chile (3 goals)
Switzerland (3 goals)
Ecuador (4 goals)
Germany (1 goal)
Paraguay (4 goals)
Guatemala (3 goals)
Slovenia (1 goal)
Bosnia-Herzegovina (1 goal)
Iran (1 goal)
Nigeria (2 goals)
Hong Kong (2 goals)
Bolivia (3 goals)
Panama (3 goals)
United States (1 goal)
Haiti (3 goals)
Sergio AGÜERO has now scored at least one goal for Argentina for the past 12 years.
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
Sergio AGÜERO has now scored against 20 different National Teams. In order:
Bolivia (7 goals)
Egypt (1 goal)
Mexico (2 goals)
Paraguay (3 goals)
Uruguay (3 goals)
Venezuela (1 goal)
Russia (2 goals)
Canada (1 goal)
Spain (1 goal)
Albania (1 goal)
Costa Rica (2 goals)
Colombia (1 goal)
Ecuador (4 goals)
Sweden (1 goal)
Bosnia-Herzegovina (2 goals)
Germany (1 goal)
Croatia (1 goal)
Panama (1 goal)
Nigeria (1 goal)
Haiti (1 goal)
All time Argentina National Team top scorers:
1: Lionel MESSI: 64 goals
2: Gabriel BATISTUTA: 56 goals
3: Sergio AGÜERO: 37 goals
With his three goals, Lionel MESSI has surpassed Ronaldo (the Brazilian) and is now on 64 goals, just 13 away from Pele who holds the record of most goals scored by a South American for his country.
Gonzalo HIGUAÍN’s last goal for Argentina came in October of 2016. He has since played eight matches, scoring 0 goals.
Gonzalo HIGUAÍN is at 32 goals for Argentina, two behind Diego MARADONA (34 goals) and three behind Hernán CRESPO (35).
Cristian PAVÓN and Giovani LO CELSO have btoh yet to win two matches in a row with Argentina. Here’s their streak:
Win vs. Russia
Loss vs. Nigeria
Win vs. Italy
Loss vs. Spain
Win vs. Haiti
Cristian PAVÓN now has three assists in five matches for Argentina.
Eduardo SALVIO is undefeated with Argentina having played nine matches, won seven and drawn two:
Win vs. Panama (2009)
Draw vs. Costa Rica (2011)
Win vs. Chile (2011)
Win vs. Switzerland (2012)
Draw vs. Saudi Arabia (2012)
Win vs. Singapore (2017)
Win vs. Ecuador (2017)
Win vs. Russia (2017)
Win vs. Haiti (2018)
Javier MASCHERANO has now tied Javier ZANETTI fot most caps for Argentina. Both now at 143 matches.
Manuel LANZINI is undefeated with Argentina having played four and won all four matches.
Win vs. Brazil (2017)
Win vs. Singapore (2017)
Win vs. Italy (2018)
Win vs. Haiti (2018)
Marcos ROJO has not won two matches in a row since Argentina defeated Venezuela and the United States at the 2016 Copa America. Since then, he has played eigh matches. His records stands at one recent win versus Haiti.
As part of the 50 days, 50 Argentina World Cup moments, we will be counting down the top 50 Argentina moments at a World Cup using the daily number.
We are just 15 days until the start of the FIFA World Cup and in 15th place we have Leopoldo LUQUE scoring in the 15th minute for Argentina vs. Hungary at the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
It was Argentina’s opening match of the 1978 FIFA World Cup and the hosts picked up all three points in a 2-1 win versus Hungary. It was a nightmare start for the Albiceleste when Karoly CSAPO scored early in the 9th minute to give Hungary a 1-0 lead. Leopoldo LUQUE scored in the 14th minute to draw level.
With the match at 1-1, Daniel BERTONI scored the match winner in the 83rd minute to give Cesar Luis MENOTTI’s team the win. Andras TOROCSIK and Tibor NYILASI were both red carded late in the match.
Here was Argentina’s starting XI for the match:
5. Ubaldo FILLOL
2. Osvaldo ARDILES
6. Americo GALLEGO
7. Luis GALVAN
9. Rene HOUSEMAN
10. Mario KEMPES
14. Leopoldo LUQUE
15. Jorge OLGUIN
19. Daniel PASSARELLA
20. Alberto TARANTINI
21. Jose VALENCIA
If you missed it, here are our 50 World Cup moments:
50: Sergio ROMERO gets 50th cap vs. Switzerland at 2014 FIFA World Cup.
49: Roberto AYALA scores in the 49th minute vs. Germany at 2006 FIFA World Cup.
48: Angel DI MARIA’s 48th cap for Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina at 2014 FIFA World Cup.
47: Mario KEMPES scores Argentina’s 47th goal all time at the 1978 FIFA World Cup vs. Peru.
46: Jorge VALDANO scores in the 46th minute at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
45: Javier ZANETTI scores in the 45th minute vs. England at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
44: Gabriel BATISTUTA scores goal number 44 in his Argentina career at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
43: Gonzalo HIGUAIN receives cap number 43 for Argentina vs. Germany in the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
42: Pedro PASCULLI scores in the 42nd minute for Argentina vs. Uruguay at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
41: Maxi RODRÍGUEZ scores in the 41st minute for Argentina vs. Serbia & Montenegro at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
40: Roberto AYALA plays in his 40th match for Argentina vs. Jamaica at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
39: Pablo ZABALETA plays in his 39th match for Argentina vs. Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
38: Javier SAVIOLA scores in the 38th minute for Argentina vs. Ivory Coast at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
37: Maxi RODRIGUEZ plays in his 37th match for Argentina vs. South Korea at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
36: Mauricio PINEDA scores in the 36th minute for Argentina vs. Croatia at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
35: Ezequiel LAVEZZI plays in his 35th match for Argentina vs. Netherlands at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
34: Diego MARADONA scores his 34th goal for Argentina vs. Greece at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
33: Gonzalo HIGUAIN scores in the 33rd minute for Argentina vs. Mexico at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
32: Hernan CRESPO scores his 32nd goal for Argentina vs. Mexico at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
31: Diego MARADONA scoring in Argentina’s 31st FIFA World Cup match vs. Hungary.
30: Argentina loses opening match of 1982 FIFA World Cup vs. Belgium.
29: Argentina are knocked out of the 1982 FIFA World Cup after playing their 29th ever group stage match.
28: Claudio CANIGGIA scores in the 28th minute for Argentina vs. Nigeria at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
27: Pedro TROGLIO scores in the 27th minute for Argentina vs. the Soviet Union at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
26: Diego MARADONA scores his 26th goal for Argentina vs. Belgium at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
25: Sergio AGUERO plays in his 25th match for Argentina vs. Germany at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
24: Diego MARADONA scores his 24th goal for Argentina vs. England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
23: Ezequiel GARAY plays in his 23rd match for Argentina vs. Belgium at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
22: Argentina defeat Greece 2-0 on June 22 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
21: Lucas BIGLIA plays in his 21st match for Argentina vs. Iran at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
20: Rene HOUSEMAN scores in the 20th minute for Argentina vs. East Germany at the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
19: Diego MILITO wears the number 19 shirt for Argentina on his World Cup debut vs. Nigeria at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
18. Javier MASCHERANO plays in his 18th match for Argentina vs. Netherlands at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
17: Claudio LOPEZ scores for Argentina in the 17th minute vs. Netherlands at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
16: Gabriel BATISTUTA scores for Argentina in the 16th minute vs. Romania at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Lionel MESSI and Jorge SAMPAOLI took the press following Argentina’s 4-0 win against Haiti.
Shortly after the victory, captain Lionel MESSI stated that the team will give it their all at the World Cup. He went on to thank the fans while coach Jorge SAMPAOLI gave out a hint as to who could be the starting goalkeeper. Here’s what they had to say, starting off with Lionel MESSI.
“We will give our all at the World Cup. The World Cup is our dream, it’s the country’s dream. We have to win the first match, it will give us the calmness to go on and play against the rest. I’m very thankful for everyone, we have always felt the support of them all. We all want the same thing: To get Argentina the most important title there is.
“I want to thank the fans, the qualifiers weren’t easy, when we played versus Peru it was complicated because we made things difficult. We felt the support and they didn’t bitch us out like other times. Today was a day to have fun and say goodbye to the public, we are excited.
Following his comments a few days ago, MESSI went on to re-iterate that they are not favorites going into the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
“We are not candidates (to win the World Cup), we’ve had a complicated process (to get there), today, we are what we are. We have the players and we are fighting hard. We have to win versus Iceland and that will give us calmness for the rest of the group matches. We will have three complicated matches, we should not be thinking beyond those three matches, sometimes in football and at the World Cup, logic doesn’t win and there are surprises.”
Cristian PAVÓN received praise from Lionel MESSI (PAVÓN was also praised by the coach). Here’s what MESSI had to say:
“I found a new partner in PAVÓN.”
Argentina coach Jorge SAMPAOLI spoke about the team and gave a hint as to who could be the starting goalkeeper at the 2018 FIFA World Cup:
“The players came with a lot of predisposition. They didn’t have any time off. We have to correct a few things and take advantage of every situation before the World Cup. Now we have more time to prepare than we did in the qualifiers. The players are adhering to the style of play.
“AGÜERO and PAVÓN came on and did very well. CABALLERO gave off a very important image in the match against Italy. ARMANI just came in and GUZMÁN too. There’s no justification to change the goalkeeper.
“MESSI is training very well. The Spanish league ended and he was here within two days. I see him very enthusiastic. None of the players had the possibility of taking any vacations in order to be here. That means a lot.”
The coach also heaped praise on Cristian PAVÓN:
“We are very hopeful of Cristian PAVÓN and the chemistry he can establish.”
Support the site, win prizes, and be part of the Albiceleste family!
OFFER AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME
1 MONTH – FREE TRIAL, CANCEL ANYTIME
