Uruguay are set for a high-profile friendly against Argentina next Friday, November 13, at the Estadio Alberto J. Armando, La Bombonera. The match marks the beginning of a new era for the Argentine side, as they face their first fixtures without the retired figures of Lionel Messi and Nicolás Otamendi.
Argentina's head coach, Lionel Scaloni, named a 28-man squad on Tuesday, November 3. "Lionel Scaloni and Argentina are entering a new era of the national team's history as they get ready to meet Uruguay and Costa Rica in a pair of international friendlies this November," the manager stated. The roster includes young players with little international experience, such as Chelsea's 21-year-old defender Aaron Anselmino and Roma forward Santiago Castro.
For Uruguay, this match represents a valuable test following a positive run of form. La Celeste arrive on a two-game winning streak, having thrashed India 6-1 and defeated South Korea 4-1 during the last international break. Their last defeat was a 3-1 loss to Japan in late September. Darwin Núñez, who scored a brace against South Korea and a penalty against India, will be a key attacking reference. His recent form, with three goals in the last two matches, is a major asset. The team's recent form reads two wins and one loss from their last three outings.
The recent head-to-head record between the two sides is even. In their last meeting, a World Cup qualifier in March 2025, Argentina won 1-0 in Montevideo. However, in the previous clash, Uruguay secured a 0-2 victory on Argentine soil. This friendly will help both teams fine-tune details for future commitments. After the match in Buenos Aires, Argentina will face Costa Rica on November 17 in Córdoba, while Uruguay's players will return to club duty.
The Uruguayan squad approaches the duel with a settled core. In their last starting lineup against India, Thiago Cardozo was in goal, with a defense of Nahitan Nández, Santiago Mouriño, José María Giménez, and Joaquín Piquerez. In midfield, Rodrigo Zalazar, who also scored in that match, and Rodrigo Bentancur provided solidity. The attack was led by Núñez and Federico Viñas, with Maximiliano Araújo, who scored twice, completing the frontline. The match at La Bombonera, kicking off at 20:00 local time, promises to be a good gauge of Uruguay's current form.
