Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has announced his starting eleven against Paraguay and Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez all start.

Lionel Scaloni is going with three forwards against in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. Enzo Barrenechea and Nehuén Pérez do not make the bench. Here is the starting eleven:

Emiliano Martínez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez

Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez will start for Argentina vs. Paraguay on Thursday.

The three players are set to start for Argentina in their World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. According to Gastón Edul, Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni will start Messi, Lautaro and Álvarez.

Argentina will play Paraguay on Thuesday in a World Cup qualifier.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference on Wednesday about the team against Paraguay, Facundo Medina’s call-up, Leandro Paredes situation at AS Roma, and the controversy surrounding a streamer playing in the Argentine league.

Regarding the Albiceleste’s line-up against Paraguay on Thursday, here is what Scaloni had to say:

“The team will be quite similar to the one in the last match. It will be a very tough game against an opponent that’s in a good moment.”

The coach was asked about Leandro Paredes’ lack of playing time with AS Roma and whether he had spoken with him about it.

“We’re focused on preparing for the game. We never get involved in players’ decisions with their clubs; we always evaluate their current form. Everyone knows it’s important to have regular playing time, no matter where they play.”

Scaloni also gave details about Facundo Medina’s call-up:

“Facundo booked his flight on his own because he was so eager to join us; that’s something we value, and it’s great for us. He did it all himself. He spoke with his coach, got his ticket, and arrived this morning. It sends a message to his teammates.”

Lionel Scaloni also addressed the controversy involving the streamer Spreen, who played one minute for Deportivo Riestra in the Argentine League last Monday as part of a marketing move by the club:

“We need to be as honest as possible. I imagine everyone thought the same as I did. I remember my own debut in the First Division as one of the best moments of my life.”

“The Ethics Committee will work on this; I imagine it will set an example, and hopefully, this won’t happen again. For the good of football, this can’t happen again. From my position, I hope that’s the case.”

Watch Paraguay vs. Argentina on Fanatiz here.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni had his team train on Tuesday and he could be thinking of going with a midfield of four players or a front three.

Lionel Scaloni started Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez against Bolivia, with all three players scoring. Against Paraguay on Thursday, he could be thinking of starting the same three in attack.

Another option for Scaloni is to play a midfield of four players. The midfield four would be Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and one of Leandro Paredes, Gio Lo Celso or Thiago Almada. These two would be the rumored eleven:

Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister, Paredes or Lo Celso or Almada; Messi, Álvarez or Lautaro Martínez

Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez