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 to which the groups qualify 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 alive, fast to advance and line up a very young team, in addition to guys like Messi and Nicolás Otamendi, is a new Argentina that seeks to build chemistry, and here they have the possibility to make their crusade for a smart start, but creativity in the attack will be the key.
Ecuador: The national team has new coach in Argentina Gustavo Alfaro – former of 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 able to do more with less, as when he was coach of Arsenal sarandí, who in front of his homeland, since training since 1992 , embarked on a total course where, defensively, his team will aim to be physical, fast with messi’s ball and double team.
Messi shines, Lautaro Martinez gets a purpose and the hosts get all 3 points. Election: Argentina 3, Ecuador 1
CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner. com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc.
Getty images and U. S. Presswire imagesBut it’s not the first time