2021 Copa America – Argentina vs Uruguay Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Argentina vs Uruguay taking place? Saturday 19th June, 2021 – 01:00 (UK)
Where is Argentina vs Uruguay taking place? Estádio Nacional de Brasília, Brasília
Where can I get tickets for Argentina vs Uruguay? Visit the official Copa America website for the latest ticket information
What television channel is Argentina vs Uruguay on in the UK? BBC Red Button
Where can I stream Argentina vs Uruguay in the UK? This match can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
THE TEAM NEWS
ARGENTINA
- A 1-1 draw against Chile in their opening match will concern Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni purely based on the patterns and rhythms of the match. The Chileans dominated the ball which could lead to some added pressure on Scaloni given that the manager left both Aguero and Di Maria on the bench in order to bolster the central midfield.
- Given that, a little more pro activity in the Argentine side could see Angel Di Maria come in for one of Rodrigo De Paul or Giovani Lo Celso. This could also lead to a change of shape from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1.
- Scaloni’s Argentina have been a little bit more controlled and predictable than they were from 2017-2018 under Jorge Sampaoli. However, they still remain passive and lacking in a distinct cohesion.
URUGUAY
- Uruguay’s opening match of the tournament could be very indicative of the rest of their campaign because they are coming up against an Argentine side with individual talent in abundance to exploit Uruguayan weaknesses that have been evident since 2018.
- Oscar Tabarez has been the manager of Uruguay for 15 years since 2006 and this is his second spell after a two-year stint in the late 80’s. Therefore, team selection should be fairly predictable. However, the only predictable decision will be the front two of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
- The talking point for this match will be how the midfield shapes up at a major tournament. Tabarez used a diamond system in 2018 and, given the amount of central midfielders in the squad, that is likely to be the case once again. They have failed to make it past the quarter-final stage since Uruguay won the competition in 2011.
THE PREDICTION
One side come into this attempting to find and nail down an identity whilst the other has been coached by the same man for 17 of the last 33 years. Argentina have close to, if not the, greatest footballer of all time and, quite simply, you cannot be certain of a defeat when Lionel Messi plays for that team. His wonderful free-kick against Chile is an example of an ability to create and provoke without nothing. Uruguay will like to keep this based on fine margins with their attacking quality themselves. It is likely to be tight and low-scoring decided by a moment.
