Lionel Messi is doubtful to start for Argentina in the next World Cup qualifier against Paraguay.
The Argentina national team captain scored in a 1-0 win against Ecuador in the opening game, but missed last month’s 3-0 win against Bolivia due to a muscle strain, and also played several games for MLS side Inter Miami. He was absent.
The World Cup champions are scheduled to host Paraguay in Buenos Aires on Thursday.
Vinicius Jr. missed Brazil’s first two games in the South American qualifiers, but has recovered from injury and returned to the starting lineup. The Selecao will face Venezuela in Cuiabá.
Argentina and Brazil won last month, making them 2-0 and qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The continent’s biggest rivals are scheduled to play each other in November.
Colombia is in third place in the 10-team standings with four points. Uruguay and Venezuela each have three points, followed by Paraguay, Peru and Chile with one point each.
Ecuador has yet to pick up any competitive points despite a 2-1 win over Uruguay on September 13th. Ecuador started the qualifying tournament at -3 after FIFA deducted points for falsifying Colombian defender Byron Castillo’s birth information. origin.
The next World Cup, to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, will be expanded to 48 teams, with the top six South American teams directly qualifying. The seventh-place team will compete in an intercontinental playoff for a spot.
Other matches on Thursday include Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, following FIFA’s decision to award the opening match of the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, to Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. Includes celebratory events.
Argentina versus paraguay
Messi, 36, missed four MLS games with his club and the US Open Cup final. He played 10 minutes in Inter Miami’s 1-0 loss to Cincinnati on Saturday. He was hinted to play against Paraguay in Tuesday’s practice, but it was unclear whether he would start or come off the bench.
Manager Lionel Scaloni did not say who would replace Messi if he did not start. He will also have to make other selection decisions, such as whether to start Nicolas Tagliafico or Marcos Acuña at left-back, or Julián Álvarez or Lautaro Martinez up front.
Argentina will not rely on Angel Di Maria, who is recovering from injury. Nico González is once again likely to replace the veteran.
Paraguay’s new coach Daniel Garnero will make his debut against Argentina. He took over from Guillermo Barros Schelotto last month after the first two qualifiers.
Garnero, 54, who is Argentinian like Schelotto, has coached several teams in Paraguay since 2016 and prefers more balanced teams in a country where defense is considered an art. showed that.
“We have to play smart and use the manager’s strategy for this game to get one point. And why not three?” defender Junior Alonso said. His hope is not wrong. Argentina failed to beat Paraguay in the last two South American World Cup qualifiers.
Brazil versus Venezuela
Brazil’s new coach Fernando Diniz revealed during training on Tuesday that Vinicius Junior has fully recovered from his injury and will start against Venezuela in Cuiaba. Rafinha started his first two games on the right wing, but is currently injured.
Since the last World Cup, the 23-year-old Vinicius’ domestic status has continued to grow at Real Madrid, with fans watching Neymar play in the less competitive Saudi league.
“Vinicius is important for the club, he is important for the national team, and he is still a boy,” striker Gabriel Jesus said in a press conference. “He came back from injury, scored a goal and helped Real win the game. He’s really good.”
Renan Lodi is also absent due to injury, and Guilherme Arana is likely to take his place.
Richarlison is expected to start against Venezuela despite his lack of goals for the national team. His most recent goal for Brazil came in a 4-1 win against South Korea in the round of 16 of the Qatar World Cup.
Also on Thursday, Colombia will play Uruguay, Bolivia will play Ecuador and Chile will play Peru.
Associated Press reported.
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