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After a draw against Paraguay on Friday, Argentina will be gunning for victory against Uruguay on Sunday in their next FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifier.
Le Albiceleste fielded a strong side, but were unable to find the net against Paraguay. Lionel Scaloni's men will now hope for a better result against Uruguay, who are coming into this game after a goalless draw with Colombia.
On that note, here's a look at Argentina's possible starting XI for their FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying game against Uruguay.
Goalkeeper - Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
Emiliano Martinez has been in the headlines ever since his Copa America 2021 heroics this summer.
A backup goalkeeper at Arsenal for a long time, Martinez displayed his quality in 2020 after an injury to the club's first-choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno. The Argentina international helped Arsenal win the FA Cup and the Community Shield, before moving to Aston Villa that summer.
Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, Martinez has shone for his current club. The 29-year old is playing the best football of his career, and is widely renowned as an expert against penalties. On current form, it can be argued that the Argentina international is one of the best in the world now.
Other options: Esteban Andrada (Monterrey), Juan Musso (Atalanta), Franco Armani (River Plate)
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Right-back - Nahuel Molina (Udinese)
Argentina international Nahuel Molina was linked with a move to Inter Milan this summer, as a potential replacement for the PSG-bound Achraf Hakimi.
Inter eventually signed Denzel Dumfries, but Molina is an extremely talented player who is likely to fetch Udinese a good transfer fee. The 23-year-old has often played as a right wing-back at Udinese, and his tactical versatility is another appealing factor.
Molina is competing with Sevilla's Gonzalo Montiel for the right-back spot in the Argentina national team. Molina has the potential to become an excellent right-back, and Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni clearly likes him.
Centre-back - German Pezzella (Real Betis)
German Pezzella returned to Real Betis this summer after four seasons in Italy with Fiorentina.
Pezzella is Scaloni's third-choice centre-back. The former River Plate man might not be a glamorous name, but he is a good defender who is highly experienced and is a good leader. Pezzella was the captain of Fiorentina for a while, and has now become a regular feature for Argentina.
The 30-year-old was on the bench against Paraguay. Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi are Scaloni's preferred centre-back partnership. However, Romero has had some injury issues in the past, so he could be given a rest against Uruguay.
Centre-back - Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica)
Premier League fans will be aware of Nicolas Otamendi. The centre-back was one of the best defenders in the league during his time with Manchester City.
Otamendi does not often inspire confidence with his aggressive brand of defending. An attacking defender, the former Valencia man is renowned for his crunching tackles. However, Otamendi was a key player for City during his prime, winning two Premier League titles with the club.
The 33-year-old is now at Benfica, where he has been a consistent starter. Otamendi has been a part of the Argentina first XI for some time now. He produced some excellent performances at the Copa America this summer.
Left-back - Marcos Acuna (Sevilla)
Marcos Acuna has quietly established himself as a consistent contender for the left-back spot for Argentina.
Acuna joined Sevilla from Sporting CP for £10 million in 2020. The 29-year-old is not a headline grabber, but is an incredibly consistent performer who gives it his all. Acuna competes with Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico for the left-back spot in the national team.
The former Racing Club man is capable of operating as a left wing-back if needed. Acuna has enjoyed a good start to the La Liga season, and will hope to translate that form to the national team.
Other options: Lucas Martinez Quarta (Fiorentina), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax), Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Lisandro Martinez (Ajax), Facundo Medina (Lens).
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Defensive Midfielder - Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)
Regarded as one of the best young players in the world during his time with River Plate, Argentina's Exequiel Palacios has stagnated.
The 23-year-old moved to Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 for £15.3 million, but has found game time difficult to come by. Injuries have not helped his cause, and Palacios is yet to get going in the Bundesliga. The midfielder will hope to get some minutes for Argentina.
Palacios was on the bench against Paraguay. The Argentina international is still highly rated, and is fairly experienced on the international stage despite his young years. Palacios is technically gifted, and is an excellent passer.
Central Midfielder - Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid)
One of the stars of Argentina's victorious Copa America campaign this summer, Rodrigo De Paul has become a key player in the first XI.
A transfer rumour mill favourite during his Udinese days, De Paul was linked with Juventus, Inter Milan and Leeds United. Atletico Madrid did well to sign him this summer, paying Udinese £31.5 million for his services.
De Paul is renowned for his creativity. During his time in Italy, the midfielder was Udinese's talisman and superstar, and played a key role for them. At the Copa America 2021, he provided the assist for the sole goal of the game in the final. The 27-year-old has also earned acclaim for his defensive attributes.
Attacking Midfielder - Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Who else? Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players of all time, and the favourite to lift the Ballon d'Or award once again.
Messi captained Argentina to victory at the Copa America this summer. He also won the best player award at the tournament. The 34-year-old endured a difficult summer after his triumph, with Barcelona's inability to offer him a new deal resulting in his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The superstar forward is Argentina's talisman and source of inspiration. Messi has a star-studded cast around him, but all eyes will always be on him. The former Barcelona star will hope to gun for glory at the FIFA World Cup next year.
Other options: Leandro Paredes (Paris Saint-Germain), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicolas Dominguez (Bologna)
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Right Winger - Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain)
Like Nicolas Otamendi and Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria has been around the Argentina national team setup for a while now.
Di Maria is one of the most underrated players in the world. Although he has produced world-class performances for Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina, Di Maria's career has often been defined by his stint with Manchester United. Few can deny his quality, though.
An excellent dribbler and creator, the 33-year-old scored the only goal of the game in the final of the Copa America this summer. Di Maria is a world-class player, and both Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain are lucky to have him.
Striker - Joaquin Correa (Inter Milan)
Joaquin Correa started the game against Paraguay ahead of his Inter Milan teammate Lautaro Martinez.
Correa is not a conventional no.9. A versatile forward, the former Lazio man is technically excellent, is a good passer, and is able to drop deep to facilitate play. Inter Milan recruited him this summer as they sought to replace the Chelsea-bound Romelu Lukaku.
Correa is not a prolific goalscorer. He scored eight goals for Lazio in the league last season, and has two so far for Inter Milan. The 27-year-old does provide fluidity to his team's attacking play, though.
Left Winger - Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina)
Nicolas Gonzalez is a highly rated talent who was linked with Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion this summer before joining Fiorentina.
Gonzalez did not come cheap. Fiorentina paid Stuttgart £21 million for his services. A creative forward with good dribbling numbers, Gonzalez impressed during his time in Germany with his ability to dictate play from the wings.
The 23-year-old endured some injury issues last season, but was part of the squad that won the Copa America this summer. Gonzalez has started slowly for Fiorentina, but has the potential to become one of the best in the game.
Other options: Julian Alvarez (River Plate), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Lucas Alario (Bayer Leverkusen), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla).
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