Lionel Messi nonetheless faces just a few challenges in soccer, and one in all them will come inside attain on Tuesday as Argentina travels to Brazil for an important South American World Cup qualifying match.
The 36-year-old Messi has scored 31 objectives for Argentina in World Cup qualifying encounters, however none of these got here towards Brazil, house or away.
He has 5 objectives towards the archrival, all in pleasant matches.
Brazil’s soccer confederation mentioned all 69,000 tickets for the conflict on the Maracana Stadium are bought. Both groups will play after defeats within the earlier spherical; the locals misplaced 2-1 to Colombia and the World Cup champion was defeated 2-0 at house by Uruguay.
Many Brazilian followers are eager to observe Messi in a match that could possibly be his final in Rio de Janeiro, enjoying for Argentina. In the identical area, the star misplaced the 2014 World Cup remaining to Germany and beat the host within the decider of the 2021 Copa America.
Argentina leads the 10-team South American qualifying group with 12 factors from 5 matches. Uruguay is second with 10 factors. Colombia has 9 and Venezuela eight. Brazil will host the World Cup champions in fifth place with seven factors.
Ecuador, Paraguay and Chile have 5 factors every. Bolivia has three and Peru has one.
The 2026 World Cup within the United States, Mexico and Canada will embrace 48 groups, which means direct entry for the highest six groups from South America. The seventh-place staff can earn a berth in an Intercontinental playoff.
Albiceleste vs. Samba
Optimism is in brief provide in Brazil, which misplaced its two newest matches and is struggling below new coach Fernando Diniz. A defeat to Argentina could possibly be the staff’s first-ever in a house match of World Cup qualifying, and the hosts can have a number of absences for that encounter.
Carlos Augusto is more likely to begin as a left-back for the primary time, Jesus will tackle the injured Vinicius Junior up entrance and teenage sensation Endrick will possible play within the second half.
The 17-year-old Endrick, who will be part of Real Madrid subsequent yr, spoke in a press convention about his expectations of enjoying towards Messi for the primary time.
“For me, Pele is the king, and no one will get near him. Messi is phenomenal, the best in the world again, and I want to enjoy playing against him, a man I only saw in the videogames,” the striker mentioned. “I am more of a Cristiano Ronaldo fan, but it will be wonderful to see Messi up close.”
Argentina will arrive in Brazil late on Monday and have its remaining coaching session for the conflict in Buenos Aires. Coach Lionel Scaloni didn’t communicate after Sunday’s coaching and had a lot of the apply behind closed doorways, however gave hints of the place his doubts are.
Angel di Maria, Nicolas Gonzalez and Leandro Paredes are in rivalry for a spot within the midfield. Lautaro Martínez, who didn’t rating for the nationwide staff in his earlier 14 matches, might substitute Julian Álvarez up entrance.
Also, on Tuesday, Paraguay will host Colombia, Uruguay will tackle Bolivia, Ecuador will welcome Chile and Peru will play host towards Venezuela. The seventh and eighth rounds of South American qualifying will happen in September after the subsequent version of Copa America within the U.S.
Source: www.dailysabah.com