A few hours after the clash with Panama, Argentina will take on River Plate in a friendly that gives non-starters more minutes on the field and offers a chance to keep the squad sharp as the World Cup title is celebrated on home soil.
The upcoming friendly against Panama, set for Thursday, serves as a backdrop for a celebration with the world champions still riding the high from the Qatar triumph. Panama did not bring their starting lineup, and head coach Lionel Scaloni plans to field a lineup that mirrors the one used in the final, honoring that memorable performance while testing depth and continuity for the post-World Cup period.
But the purposes run deeper than celebration. Scaloni aims to begin shaping Argentina’s post-World Cup squad, ensuring that the champions remain actively involved in future selections while evaluating new faces for the long term. That makes the tour’s most competitive fixture, which also features a match vs Curaçao, a Friday highlight as the team builds toward a continuous competitive rhythm.
The Albiceleste will meet River Plate in a friendly scheduled to kick off at 5 pm at the AFA venue in Ezeiza, a stone’s throw from the River Camp where the Millionaires train.
The plan is for Scaloni to use a lineup featuring players who did not start against Panama, giving them an opportunity to shine while new talents like Perrone, Buonanotte, and Carboni gain valuable exposure. In parallel, Demichelis intended to mix players against Universidad de Chile in a Saturday tune-up, but the expectation is that the strongest group will face the World Champion, with Franco Armani set to guard the rival net in this particular fixture.
Here at GOAL, all the essential details about the match are covered for fans and followers.
WHEN IS IT?
The schedule is set for the evening hours of the week, creating a focused window for fans to tune in or attend if possible.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV OR STREAMING
The match will be played behind closed doors with no press access, though the AFA press may record footage for publication and highlights later, allowing supporters to catch key moments after the whistle.
FORMATION
ARGENTINA
To confirm.
RIVER
To confirm.