Hours after the clash with Panama, Argentina’s national team will line up against River Plate in a match meant to give squad players time on the field and keep the celebrations rolling for the world title win.
The upcoming friendly against Panama on Thursday is portrayed as a chance for the Albiceleste to honor their Qatar final success by fielding much of the same group that reached the final, a nod to the team’s recent triumph and a moment to reward players who did not feature heavily in earlier rounds.
Still, the head coach aims to make the FIFA window more than a victory lap. He intends to begin shaping the post-World Cup squad, while many of the champions will remain in consideration for future camps. With that in mind, the most competitive segment of the tour, which also includes a match versus Curaçao, is scheduled for Friday afternoon.
The match against River will kick off at 5pm at the AFA venue in Ezeiza, a stone’s throw from the River Camp where the club trains. The setup is designed so that Scaloni can test a lineup composed of players who did not start against Panama, alongside promising youngsters such as Perrone, Buonanotte, and Carboni. Demichelis, meanwhile, plans a mixed lineup for a friendly against Universidad de Chile on Saturday, with the notable twist that Franco Armani will man the opposing goal in that clash.
In this update, the focus is on delivering everything fans need to know about the game.
WHEN IS?
Details on kickoff times are provided as the schedule becomes official, with the aim of helping fans in North America catch the action live or via stream in Canada and the United States. Expect updates on local broadcast windows and streaming options as events unfold.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV OR STREAMING
The match will be staged behind closed doors with no press access, though there remains a possibility that AFA staff record select footage for future highlights. For fans in North America, attention will turn to official broadcasters and streaming platforms that carry Argentina national team fixtures and club friendlies during the FIFA window.
FORMATION
ARGENTINA
To confirm.
RIVER
To confirm.