Guatemala meet Argentina in Maryland this weekend hoping to build on some encouraging recent form (W2, D2) and a very strong start to their CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying campaign. So far this month, they’ve scored nine goals without reply across a home win against Dominica (FIFA Ranking 180) and an away victory against the British Virgin Islands (FIFA Ranking 207).
But this friendly fixture represents a huge jump in the level and quality of opponents as they take on the number one ranked side and current holders of both the FIFA World Cup and the Copa América. On their part, Luis Fernando Tena’s team have been out of the top 100 since September 2017, and even dropped as low as 149th in February 2019, but have generally been on an upwards trajectory since and currently sit in 108th place.
Argentina have made easy work of Guatemala in their previous H2Hs, finding the net 12 times and keeping clean sheets in all three of their comfortable victories in the process. Fresh from beating Ecuador 1-0 in Chicago – recording a shut out at the back for the 11th time in 13 matches – La Albiceleste will be looking to maintain momentum by winning this latest clash ahead of their Copa opener against Canada.
Seventeen players were used by Lionel Scaloni in the last match and he may well use this fixture against inferior opposition to give additional game time to others in his squad including Lionel Messi who played only 35 minutes against Ecuador. Whoever he selects though, Argentina will be the overwhelming favourites to extend their incredible run of only two defeats since early July 2019 (W44, D10).
Players to watch: Rubio Rubín is in fine form for Guatemala at the moment, after his first-half injury time strike against the BVI made it three international games in a row to see him get on the scoresheet. Looking to equal that run is Argentina’s Ángel Di María who scored the only goal against Ecuador last time out, meaning the experienced winger has now opened the scoring in his last two matches for club and country.
Hot stat: Argentina have won 16 of their last 19 friendlies (D3) and have not lost one since March 2019.
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