Two hundred and sixty-three days after this December 18, 2022, the third star of the Argentine football team, the “Scaloneta” begins the title defense at home in the debut of the South American qualifier for the 2026 World Cup .
The Albiceleste is being measured Ecuador at the Más Monumental Stadium, the river field, which is considered the “home ground of the national team” and which hosted a big reunion party between the players and the fans last March and which, like back then, will be a big reunion party between the players and the fans spectacular full
The team of Lionel Scaloni will count on his captain Lionel Messi in his new team, Inter Miami, who will achieve a series of great games and results, albeit with the accumulated fatigue of the trip from the United States and, let’s not forget, his 36 years.
Everyone knows that the ‘Escaped‘ will start with this title defense, but no one is sure that it will be completed with the appointment of USACanada and Mexico 2026, well, although Qatar 2022 was set to be his final World Cup, the possibility of a sequel opened up after winning the crown.
Another incentive to do so messi This duel is about him being able to match or surpass his ex-Barcelona teammate and friend in the qualifying points table Luis Suárezwho was not subpoenaed Marcelo Bielsa for the games of Uruguay and will therefore not be able to score: Lucho collects 29 and Leo 28.
The Albiceleste formation will be the base of the one that won the World Cup, with the greatest doubt about it Scaloni from Lautaro Martinez either Julian Alvarez Begin the attack. In front of him he will have a combination of Ecuador eager for triumphs, knowing full well that he will start the qualifying round with three minus points due to the “Castillo case” which was close to elimination.three‘ without the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and that has finally been resolved with this sanction.
His technician, the Spaniard Felix Sanchez Bas, makes his debut in South American qualifiers after leading Qatar at the World Cup hosted there; and in which he faced Ecuador precisely in the opening game. The former coach of youth team A der Barcelona I could count on the experienced among the sticks Alexander Dominguezwho is facing his fourth World Cup tie and a solid line of 5 behind.
The doubt will be in attack, where the vanguard position is contested by the captain, Ener Valenciaa headache for opposing defenders as he was split in 2023 between his former side, the Fenerbahçe Turk, and the current one, the Brazilian Internacional, and the youngster recently signed by the Belgian Saint-Gilloise Kevin Rodriguez. Looking for surprise Ecuador will spring up against the field Albicelestewhere the title defense begins.
probable lineups
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez or Julián Álvarez, Ángel Di María.
Ecuador: Alexander Dominguez; Ángelo Preciado, Robert Arboleda, Félix Torres, William Pacho, Pervis Estupiñán; Carlos Gruezo, Moisés Caicedo, Gonzalo Plata, Angel Mena; Enner Valencia or Kevin Rodriguez.
