ARGENTINA play their final match ahead of the 2022 World Cup as they face the United Arab Emirates in a friendly.
Lionel Messi has been named in the starting XI as Argentina have named a strong side ahead of the World Cup.
They will be hoping for a positive result before beginning their World Cup campaign on Tuesday against Saudi Arabia.
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UAE 0-2 Argentina
35 Argentina are pushing for a third before half-time with some high pressure.
UAE have been unable to put anything together in almost 20 minutes
UAE 0-2 Argentina
33 A solid display by Messi so far, who already got an assist.
It will be interesting to see if manager Scaloni opts to play the second half without him to save him for the World Cup
UAE 0-2 Argentina
31 Chance
Messi takes on a free-kick just inches away from the box but just misses the crossbar
UAE 0-2 Argentina
30 This is how the two teams look like today:
Argentina in full blue, while UAE play in their white kit
Credit: GETTY UAE 0-2 Argentina
28 UAE have been unable to put together an attack since Alvarez’s opener.
Argentina are totally comfortable on the pitch after Di Maria’s stunner
UAE 0-2 Argentina
25 What a goal by Di Maria! Absolute stunner!!!
Acuna delivers a pinpoint cross from the left and finds the Juventus star at the far post.
The winger immediately shoots with his right and nails the ball to the back of Eisa’s net!
UAE 0-2 Argentina
25 Goal!
Di Maria doubles Argentina’s lead!!!
UAE 0-1 Argentina
23 Chance
Argentina continue to knock on UAE’s door, with Alvarez coming close to a second.
The Man City ace puts the ball down with a magnificent touch before turning around and seeing his shot getting blocked by a defender
UAE 0-1 Argentina
20 Argentina finally got their big opportunity and didn’t miss it.
However, they are still leaving open spaces at the back that UAE have yet to take advantage of
UAE 0-1 Argentina
17 Argentina have broken the deadlock after some poor defending by UAE.
Di Maria plays Messi with a stunning through ball that finds the hosts completely off guard.
The captain has plenty of space to run and passes to Manchester City star Alvarez who beats Eisa with ease
UAE 0-1 Argentina
GOAL!
Alvarez opens the scoring!!!
UAE 0-0 Argentina
16 Chance
Di Maria plays Messi through from the right and the captain tries a shot from a tight angle that is saved by Eisa
UAE 0-0 Argentina
15 Argentina are leaving open spaces behind that fortunately for them UAE can’t take advantage of.
Lisandro and Otamendi have to get a grip
UAE 0-0 Argentina
8 Chance
UAE show some teeth in the first few minutes with Abdullah attacking from the left but his shot gets deflected and just misses the crossbar
UAE 0-0 Argentina
10 Argentina are slowly reimposing their dominance but miss the final pass or shot on target.
Messi looking comfortable on the ball up front so far
UAE 0-0 Argentina
8 After a dominant five minutes, UAE are getting more of the ball and gaining ground.
The hosts are even applying some significant pressure on the visitors when they try to play out the back
UAE 0-0 Argentina
5 Argentina are totally dominating the opening few minutes against UAE.
The visitors;s midfield and attack are pummeling the hosts, who are barely holding them away from Eisa’s box
UAE 0-0 Argentina
2 Another reminder:
United Arab Emirates manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena appears to have opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Khalid Eisa starts in goal with Khaled Al Dhanhani at right-back and Shaheen Rahman on the other side, while Al Hussain Saleh and Khalifa Al Hamadi team up at centre-back.
Abdulla Hamad and Ali Salmeen link up in midfield with captain Ali Mabkhout at No10.
Harib Abdullah plays down the right wing with Abdullah Ramadan on the other side, while Caio Canedo leads the attack
UAE 0-0 Argentina
1 Tiny reminder:
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni appears to have opted for a 4-3-3 formation against the United Arab Emirates.
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez starts between the sticks with Juan Foyth at right-back and Marcos Acuna on the other side, while Nicolas Otamendi and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez team up at centre-back.
Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo de Paul link up in midfield.
Angel Di Maria, Captain Lionel Messi and Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez lead the attack
UAE 0-0 Argentina
Peep!
Off we go in Abu Dhabi!!!
Here come the teams!
The Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium is set to host the international friendly between United Arab Emirates and Argentina.
UAE captain Ali Mabkhout leads his team out in front of their home crowd.
And of course Lionel Messi dons Argentina’s legendary armband for this encounter.
Not long to go now…!
Credit: GETTY
UAE formation
United Arab Emirates manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena appears to have opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Khalid Eisa starts in goal with Khaled Al Dhanhani at right-back and Shaheen Rahman on the other side, while Al Hussain Saleh and Khalifa Al Hamadi team up at centre-back.
Abdulla Hamad and Ali Salmeen link up in midfield with captain Ali Mabkhout at No10.
Harib Abdullah plays down the right wing with Abdullah Ramadan on the other side, while Caio Canedo leads the attack
Argentina formation
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni appears to have opted for a 4-3-3 formation against the United Arab Emirates.
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez starts between the sticks with Juan Foyth at right-back and Marcos Acuna on the other side, while Nicolas Otamendi and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez team up at centre-back.
Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo de Paul link up in midfield.
Angel Di Maria, Captain Lionel Messi and Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez lead the attack
UAE subs
Khasif, Al Shamsi, Jameel, Mohammed, Al Hashemi, Heikal, Hassan, Rashid, Nader, Al Zaabi, Saleh, De Lima, Al Ghassami
Argentina subs
1 Armani, 12 Rulli, 3 Tagliafico, 4 Montiel, 6 Pezzella, 14 Palacios, 15 Gonzalez, 16 Correa, 18 Rodriguez, 22 L. Martinez, 24 Fernandez, 26 Molina
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
