Argentina’s journey in World Cup qualifying hasn’t been completely smooth, dropping points in four games. Uruguay will aim to challenge their dominance when they meet on Friday, hoping to climb to the top of the table. Despite the absence of leading scorer Lionel Messi due to an injury sustained playing for Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United, Argentina still boasts significant attacking talent, particularly with Julian Alvarez in excellent form. La Albiceleste are not short of firepower.
Under coach Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay has regained its status as a strong force in South American football. However, they are striving for greater consistency after drawing three of their recent five matches. Their inconsistency is evident in their scoring record; they scored more goals against Colombia (three) than in their other four matches combined (two). This inconsistency is partly linked to the form of their striker, Darwin Nunez. Uruguay is still searching for a reliable second attacking option as the World Cup approaches.
To truly compete for major titles, Uruguay needs to find this consistency. They already have a distinct playing style, and could learn from their opponent, Argentina, on the importance of squad depth and planning. Even without Messi, Argentina maintains a clear game plan and possesses quality players like Alvarez to step up. Coach Lionel Scaloni is also strategically integrating young talents like Nico Paz, ensuring a smooth transition to the next generation while the current team remains competitive.
How to Watch and Match Details
- Date: Thursday, March 21
- Location: Estadio Centenario — Montevideo, Uruguay
- Live stream: Fanatiz
- Odds: Uruguay +165; Draw +180; Argentina +205
Key Match Storylines
Uruguay: Uruguay’s defense is capable of containing Argentina, but the crucial question is whether they can generate enough scoring opportunities. When Darwin Nunez is at his best, Uruguay can challenge any team globally. However, they need more consistent performances from their key striker, which is vital to their aspirations as potential World Cup dark horses.
Uruguay Predicted XI: Sergio Rochet, Nahitan Nandez, Ronald Araujo, Jose Gimenez, Marcelo Saracchi, Rodrigo Bentancur, Fede Valverde, Maxi Araujo, Darwin Nunez, Facoundo Pellistri, Rodrigo Aguirre
Argentina: Every match played without Messi contributes to Argentina’s team development. With a blend of experienced and young talent, Argentina has a great opportunity to extend their dominance into the future through careful planning. The absence of Lautaro Martinez in these matches will further test Argentina’s depth, but they have successfully overcome previous challenges.
Argentina Predicted XI: Emi Martinez, Nahuel Molenna, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Nico Paz, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez
Match Prediction
Expect a tight, low-scoring game where defenses dominate. A draw would be a satisfactory result for both teams. Prediction: Uruguay 0, Argentina 0
