Summary
Anticipation is growing as Argentina prepares to face Guatemala in an international friendly match on Friday. The lineup decisions by Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni remain uncertain, with speculation that star players may have limited minutes on the field to avoid any risk of injury.
Match Details
Date: Friday, June 14
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland
TV: Fox Deportes
Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
Odds: Guatemala +4000; Draw +900; Argentina -3000
Storylines
Argentina
With the Copa America on the horizon, every decision made by Lionel Scaloni carries significant weight. While Lionel Messi is expected to start, there's a high likelihood that he will be substituted early to preserve his fitness for the upcoming tournament. This could be an opportune moment for younger talents like Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Barco to shine on the international stage. Additionally, Enzo Fernandez might also get a chance to feature in the squad, contributing to the team’s strategy and cohesion.
The match against Guatemala serves not just as a test of gameplay but also as a crucial platform for team cohesion and strategy refinement ahead of the Copa America. "Nothing would be worse than a major member of the squad picking up an injury ahead of their Copa America title defense," a representative from Argentina's camp noted, stressing the importance of keeping their key players fit and ready.
Guatemala
Guatemala has shown promise in their recent World Cup qualifying performances, having faced strong teams like Venezuela, Ecuador, and Nicaragua in friendly matches this year. These experiences have better prepared Guatemala for the rigors of international tournaments. Facing an elite team like Argentina presents another valuable challenge for Guatemala, helping them gauge their readiness against top-tier competition.
"Guatemala are on the right track for the 2026 World Cup, which is a massive opportunity," one expert opined, highlighting the importance of such matches in building experience and confidence within the team.
Prediction
Given Argentina's superior team skills and gameplay, they are widely expected to secure a comfortable victory over Guatemala. For Guatemala, this match serves as an opportunity to gauge their capabilities against one of the world's best teams. They are likely to challenge Argentina's goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, with a few attempts at goal, but overall, Argentina's dominance on the field is projected to shine through.
The predicted outcome is Argentina 3, Guatemala 0, reflecting Argentina’s expected control of the match. "This is a good time for younger players like Alejandro Garnacho and Valentin Barco to get a run out," said one football analyst, emphasizing the developmental benefits of the game for Argentina's emerging talents.
While the match is expected to be one-sided, the ultimate focus for Argentina will be on avoiding injuries while getting vital playing time for both seasoned and younger players. For Guatemala, it’s another step in their journey of growth and preparation for future international competitions.