World Cup

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World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 22, 2022 at 10am UK

Argentina
1 - 2
Saudi Arabia

Messi (10' pen.)

FT(HT: 1-0)

Al-Shehri (48'), Al-Dawsari (53')
Al-Malki (67'), Albulayhi (75'), Al-Dawsari (79'), Abdul Hamid (82'), Al Abid (88'), Al-Owais (90+2')

Team News: Lionel Messi starts for Argentina against Saudi Arabia, Lisandro Martinez benched

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter

Published: November 22 2022 | 09:11

Last updated: November 22 2022 | 16:42

Team News: Messi starts for Argentina against Saudi Arabia, Lisandro Martinez benched

Lionel Messi starts as captain for Argentina in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia, while Lisandro Martinez is named on the substitutes' bench.

Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi will captain Argentina in their opening 2022 World Cup Group C fixture against Saudi Arabia.

The legendary forward, who is competing at his fifth and potentially last World Cup, will form a fearsome attacking front three with Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria, the latter of whom scored a brace in the 5-0 friendly win over United Arab Emirates last week.

Indeed, head coach Lionel Scaloni has made five changes to the side that beat the UAE, with Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez among those to drop to the substitutes' bench.

Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi are preferred at centre-back, shielding goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, while Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico are handed starts at full-back at the expense of Juan Foyth and Marcos Acuna respectively.

Alexis Mac Allister drops out for Papu Gomez, who joins Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes in a three-man midfield.

Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Almada and Angel Correa are among those named on Argentina's substitutes' bench.

As for Saudi Arabia, Salman Al-Faraj will captain his side in centre-midfield, while Saleh Al-Shehri will lead the line up front.

Argentina starting lineup: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Gomez; Messi, L. Martinez, Di Maria

Saudi Arabia starting lineup: Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Al-Tambakti, Al-Bulaihi, Al-Shahrani; Kanno, Al-Malki, Al-Faraj; Al-Buraikan, Al-Shehri, Al-Dawsari.