Sergio Batista backs Lionel Scaloni to lead Argentina to 2022 World Cup
Football | April 14, 2020 9:58 ISTLionel Scaloni replaced Jorge Sampaoli as Argentina's head coach after the team's erratic performances at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Lionel Scaloni replaced Jorge Sampaoli as Argentina's head coach after the team's erratic performances at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Lionel Messi and his Argentine teammates are in Israel to play an international friendly against his Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez and the Uruguay national team.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi returned to Argentina's squad for friendlies against South American rivals Brazil and Uruguay.
Lucas Alario, Leandro Paredes, Germán Pezzella, Nicolás Domínguez and Lucas Ocampos scored for Argentina, who also got on the board with an own-goal by Ecuadorean defender Jhon Espinoza.
Joachim Low's men dictated the pace and doubled the lead only seven minutes later after Kai Havertz made no mistake to tap home Gnabry's square pass from central position.
Lionel Messi has scored the only goal of Argentina's campaign in the 2019 Copa America so far.
His absence stirred controversy in Argentina with some media outlets pointing out that Messi attended the baptism of Cesc Fabregas's children.
Higuain is sixth on the list of Argentina's all-time top scorers with 31 goals in 67 matches in an international career that spanned a decade.
Scaloni confirmed that Messi will be in the lineup for the friendly against Venezuela in Madrid, which will be his first match with the national team since the World Cup exit.
The five-time world player of the year was called up by interim Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni on Thursday for a pair of friendly matches ahead of this year's Copa America in Brazil.
Maradona said it was particularly frustrating considering that Argentina has a lot of astute coaching minds.
Argentina was without superstar Lionel Messi, and striker Paulo Dybala was ineffective up front in a match where players from both teams complained about the heat.
Messi has made no public comments about his decision to be left out of the Argentina squad, which he hasn't played for since the World Cup.
Argentina interim coach Lionel Scaloni did not call up the Barcelona star, who is reportedly considering his international future after another frustrating World Cup.
Champions France ousted the Messi led Argentines in the Round of 16, blemishing chances for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to continue the legacy which was left behind by legend Diego Maradona.
Sampaoli was named head coach of Argentina in June 2017 and his last game in charge was the defeat in the last 16 to eventual champions France.
Mascherano, who has played at four World Cups, made his debut for Argentina in 2003 and holds the record for most appearances for Argentina with 147.
Following an exhilarating display between two former champions, France came from behind to defeat Lionel Messi's Argentina.
While acknowledging Messi's exceptional skills, the French coach insisted his players will also need to focus on Argentina's other qualities ahead of the round of 16 clash.
Forty years after their last meeting at soccer's biggest tournament, the former champions meet on Saturday in Kazan for a spot in the quarterfinals.
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