Argentina have dropped to third place in the latest FIFA rankings.
The Argentina national team are now third in the FIFA rankings, behind Spain who are first and France who are second. England are behind Argentina in four and Portugal place five in the standings with Brazil six.
Netherlands are seven with Morroco eight, Belgium nine and Germany in ten.
Lionel Scaloni’s team will play Mauritania on Friday and Zambia on Tuesday.
Joaquín Panichelli has suffered an injury and is set to miss the World Cup with Argentina.
Panichelli injured himself while training with the Argentina national team and underwent tests on Friday. The 23 year old has suffered an ACL injury to his right knee and is set to be out for several months.
The Argentine would miss the World Cup.
Joaquín Panichelli has suffered a ligament injury.
Panichelli suffered a knee ligament injury while training with the Argentina national team on Thursday. According to Gastón Edul, Panichelli is undergoing tests and the injury is to the ligament.
It would be in the same leg where he tore his ligaments two years ago.
Julián Álvarez and Nico Paz are both shaping up to start for Argentina against Mauritania with Lionel Messi possibly coming off the bench.
Álvarez and Paz could both be starting for Argentina against Mauritania on Friday. According to Gastón Edul, both players have big chances to start the match for Lionel Scaloni’s team.
Lionel Messi is set to play in both matches against Mauritania and Zambia but could start the match against Mauritania on the bench. He would come on as a substitute.
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has spoken about Valentín Barco.
Lionel Scaloni called-up Valentín Barco to the team for the two matches against Mauritania and Zambia. Scaloni has spoken about the 21 year old. Here is what he had to say:
“Valentín has played as a left back. Having him in the team gives you the option that if at some point he has to play as a number three, he can do it. But logically, today, it is not his position. He is doing very well as a midfielder.
“He can play in the three positions in midfield and he’s a very good bet that we can have. He’s taken that step that was asked of him: He has shouldered the team. Practically the team plays to what he wants.
“We are happy and we will give him the chance to play in these matches and show what he’s worth.”
