Messi’s Argentina opens against Saudi Arabia equaling Italy’s record

The Argentine star begins his last participation in the World Cup this Tuesday

Packed with 36 games undefeated, the Argentina debut at Qatar World Cup this Tuesday morning, with an eye on the third world championship. the stage for Messi and company will be the beauty Losail Stadiumfor 80,000 fans, where the South American team faces off Saudi Arabiaat 7:00 (Brasilia time), for the first round of Group C.

The brothers are absolutely indicated as favorites in this group, which still has Mexico and Poland, who will face each other this Tuesday, at the Estadio 974. record of unbeaten teams, which belongs to Italy, with 37 games without defeat, between October 2018 and September 2021.

Argentina does not know what to lose from the semi-final of the Copa América 2019, played in Brazil, in which they were beaten by the Brazilian team, 2-0, in Mineirão. Since then, there are 25 wins and 11 draws. Meanwhile he was champion of the Copa América 2021 in the middle of the Maracanã and in the South American qualifiers he finished in second place, behind Brazil, with 39 points in 17 games.

Star Lionel Messi will be Argentina’s big news. The midfielder had been out of practice with a muscle overload, but he had been on the pitch normally and active since the start of the week.

Despite concern and cautious handling of the matter, Argentina’s technical commission did not work with the possibility of losing its big star for the opening match. With the return to training, the presence of the 35-year-old forward was confirmed, which he considers this to be his fifth and last appearance at the World Cup.

He is in great form and should shine with the help of Di María and Lautaro Martínez. Trust in Messi is total, inside and outside the national team, as playmaker Dybala summarizes: “We see Messi as many have seen Maradona”.

Furthermore, the base will be the same as it was during qualifying, despite the recent cuts of forwards Nico González and Joaquín Correa. Coach Lionel Scaloni said Argentina’s pressure had eased after winning the 2021 Copa América.

“People need to know that we are a selection and a group of players who will leave us everything to do well. The team is calmer, because now we no longer have the pressure of not having won anything,” guaranteed Lionel Scaloni.

Saudi Arabia practically plays at home because it is the only selection that has a land border with Qatar. But as the Cup’s big hosts, the Arabs know they are destined to be just a support player. This will be the sixth Saudi participation in the World Cup, after going further in 1994, in the United States, when it reached the round of 16.

In French coach Hervé Renard’s speech, however, the side could have a more noble role in the contest. “We didn’t come just to participate, our presence here is not for that. We try to live up to the event and we want the Saudi people to be proud of us. We know how difficult the World Cup is, but we have enthusiasm, we have strength and a lot of motivation, because we have been preparing for years”, says the coach.

DATA SHEET

ARGENTINA X SAUDI ARABIA

ARGENTINA – Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi and Marcos Acuña; Rodrigo DePaul; Leandro Paredes and Alexis MacAllister; Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria. Coach: Lionel Scaloni.

SAUDI ARABIA – Al-Owais; Al-Burayk, Al-Amri, Al-Bulahyi and Al-Shahrani; Kanno and Al-Malki; Al-Shehri, Al-Faraj and Al-Daswari; Al-Buraikan. Coach: Hervé Renard.

REFEREE – Slavko Vincic (Slovenia).

HOURS – 7:00 (Brasilia time).

VENUE – Lusail Stadium, in Al Daayen, Qatar.

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Source: Terra

Camila

Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.