Argentina have played their first match in 2024 today as they welcomed El Salvador in a FIFA Friendly. Unfortunately, Lionel Messi missed today’s game due to his hamstring injury. But the La Albiceleste didn’t find difficulties in beating El Salvador.
The World Champions gave no chance to El Salvador and secured a dominating 3-0 victory at Lincoln Financial Field. Argentina will play their next match against Costa Rica on Wednesday.
Match Report
Argentine boss Lionel Scaloni made some changes in the squad against El Salvador. He played his team with an attacking 3-5-2 formation, where Angel Di Maria led the attack with Lautaro Martinez. Meanwhile, El Salvador boss David Dóniga set up the team formation with a defensive 5-3-2.
The match started with the World Champions dominating El Salvador. Argentine midfield, built with Enzo, De Paul, Lo Celso, and Leandro Paradez, took control of the match from the start of the match. However, the Albiceleste didn’t have to wait much to find the net. They got an early lead when defender Christian Romero scored a beautiful goal with a header in the 16th minute.
After that, El Salvador tried to create pressure on Argentina and pushed hard to find the equalizer. But Argentina defended very well without their regular defenders. “Nehuén (Pérez) played there because Nahuel (Molina) came with a slight sprain of his ankle, and the first few days he could not train. Not having a specific role side, because Gonzalo (Montiel), Juan (Foyth), and (Pablo) Maffeo were injured, we gave him the opportunity. We know he can do it, it is not his position, but he did it well,” Scaloni explained.
Moreover, Argentina doubled their lead just before halftime. This time, Enzo Fernandez tapped in after getting the ball at the left post following a mishit volley from Lo Celso.
Coming back from the break, the World Champions extended their lead immediately. Giovani Lo Celso, who missed the Qatar World Cup due to an injury, has now become the regular starter for Argentina. He showed his class again and found the back of the net in the 52nd minute.
After that, both sides failed to score more in the remaining minutes. As a result, Argentina secured a dominating victory by a 3-0 margin at Lincoln Financial Field.
“We are happy, beyond the result, with how they approached the game. In general terms, I think it was a good game, and the guys, who we wanted to see, they have delivered. They give us more options. Now we have another game, and we will do the same if we can because that is what these games are for. We will make some changes for the next one and then evaluate how the tour went,” Lionel Scaloni said in the press conference.
