The South American World Cup qualifiers begin Thursday with Lionel Messi and Argentina against Ecuador in Buenos Aires, this is the first adjustment on an 18-match schedule ranked by groups for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. final qualifying circular for the 2018 World Cup, with Messi scoring a hat-trick to take his country to Russia.
Here’s how to look and what to know:
Date: Thursday, October Time: 20:30 h. ET Location: La Bombonera – Buenos Aires, ArgentinaTV: None Live Stream: Fanatiz USA (pay-per-view) Odds: Argentina -450; No. 450; Ecuador 1100 (via William Hill Sportsbook)
Argentina: Expectations are high for this Argentine team that is completely different from the last round, many former players have evolved or have not been chosen and there is a small youth movement in the team with 16 players over 26 years of age or younger. That the team is animated, quick to advance and line up a very young team, apart from guys like Messi and Nicolás Otamendi, is a new Argentina that seeks to build chemistry and here they have the possibility to start their crusade a smart start, but creativity in the attack will be the key.
Ecuador: The team has a new coach in Argentina Gustavo Alfaro – former Boca Juniors, Rosario Central, San Lorenzo and other clubs, is one of the most reputable coaches in the South American country and has shown that he is capable of doing more with less, as when he was coach of Arsenal de Sarandí, who against his homeland, since he has trained since 1992, embarked on a total course where, defensively, his team will aim to be physical, fast with the ball and Messi’s double team.
Messi shines, Lautaro Martinez gets a purpose and the hosts get all 3 points. Election: Argentina 3, Ecuador 1
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