Kyle Bonn
Lionel Messi has returned to the Argentina national team and now must help lift the side after a disappointing start to the October international window as the Albiceleste host Bolivia on Tuesday.
The Inter Miami star emerged from his injury absence on Thursday for the first time since the Copa America final this past summer but was powerless to help avoid a a 1-1 draw on the road at Venezuela. The world champions managed just eight shots in total and failed to score after Nicolas Otamendi’s early header.
The result left the door open for Colombia to take over the top top spot in the COMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings, but Los Cafeteros suffered a bitter defeat in La Paz despite playing a man up for 70 minutes.
WATCH:Argentina vs. Bolivia LIVE in US on Fubo with free trial
Bolivia, meanwhile, have leapt as high as sixth in the standings on the heels of three straight wins, including their most recent stunner over in-form Colombia. They remain far less potent away from their home fortress at elevation, but a win at struggling Chile in their most recent road match will provide hopes of a turnaround in that regard.
Get the latest team news and predicted lineups below.
MORE: All the latest soccer action | Lionel Messi news
While Lionel Messi is back in the national-team fold, a number of Argentina regulars have pulled out of the squad due to injuries or fitness maintenance. Nico Gonzalez suffered an injury on club duty with Fiorentina, while Alejandro Garnacho, Marcos Acuna, Cristian Romero, and Paulo Dybala all withdrew from the squad with various fitness concerns.
Emiliano Martinez is out of the picture this window to serve his two-game suspension. Alexis Mac Allister is with the squad but did not start against Venezuela, while German Pezzella shook off a concern to pass fit.
Lionel Scaloni may regret rotating his side heavily in the draw at Venezuela, and it’s likely that a number of regulars like Lautaro Martinez and Lisandro Martinez could return to the XI here.
Argentina predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Rulli (GK) — Molina, Otamendi, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico — De Paul, E. Fernandez, Mac Allister — Messi, La. Martinez, Alvarez.
Goalkeepers: Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Walter Benitez
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Julio Soler
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso, Thiago Almada, Nicolas Paz, Facundo Buonanotte
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Valentin Carboni
MORE: Every trophy Messi has won in his career after Supporters' Shield triumph
Veteran goalkeeper Carlos Lampe tore his Achilles against Chile in September and will miss significant time, so Guillermo Viscarra has stepped in to take his place. The 31-year-old starred against Colombia with a whopping nine saves to preserve the shutout.
Young defender Yomar Rocha pulled out of the squad due to injury, as did fellow young prospect Ervin Vaca.
Midfielder Hector Cuellar was sent off just 20 minutes into the eventual win over Colombia and will be suspended for this match, with Gabriel Villamil likely entering in his place.
Bolivia predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Viscarra (GK) — Medina, Haquin, Suarez, Sagredo — Matheus, Villamil, R. Vaca — Terceros, Algaranaz, Chura.
Goalkeepers: Bruno Poveda, Alejandro Torres, Guillermo Viscarra.
Defenders: Sebastian Alvarez, Roberto Fernandez, Luis Haquin, Diego Medina, Luis Paz, Jose Sagredo, Widen Saucedo, Marcelo Suarez, Pablo Vaca.
Midfielders: Daniel Camacho, Jeyson Chura, Victor Cuellar, Adalid Terrazas, Robson Tome, Ramiro Vaca, Gabriel Villamil.
Forwards: Carmelo Algaranaz, Lucas Chavez, Jose Martinez, Bruno Miranda, Enzo Monteiro, Jhon Velasquez.
This World Cup qualifying clash takes place at Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina and kicks off on Tuesday, October 15 at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major global territories:
Here’s how to watch this World Cup qualifying match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
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Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.
