Argentina vs El Salvador prediction, odds, betting tips for international friendly with Lionel Messi out
In their final international window before this summer's Copa America, defending champions Argentina will have to prepare without their most integral superstar as they meet El Salvador in a friendly from Philadelphia.
Lionel Messi, hero of the nation's recent rise to global dominance, will miss the March international break after suffering a muscle injury with Inter Miami. The 36-year-old has played significant minutes amidst a crowded early-season fixture list at the club level, and has paid the price for his coach's stubbornness.
Still, this Albiceleste side is oozing talent, and a strong victory will be the only acceptable result in this March tuneup for the summer showcase. All other regulars were called in, as well as young up-and-coming prospect Valentin Barco potentially in line to earn his first international cap after moving to Premier League side Brighton in the winter. Only Paulo Dybala remains home, having recently suffered an adductor injury.
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El Salvador are in a deep national overhaul, without a single international victory since beating Grenada in June of 2022. They have another friendly against Honduras in four days, but this will be the one circled on their calendar.
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While there are no odds available for this match, we can still make a prediction towards how it will finish after the 90 minutes.
Lionel Scaloni has a history of deploying a first-choice starting lineup even in friendlies with little to gain, which is bad news for an out-of-form El Salvador side that holds very few options with which to counter their opponent's world class talent.
Still,
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