Preview: Messi aiming for another historic milestone as Argentina face Curacao on March 28, 2023

Topics: TV Schedules, Argentina, Curacao, International Friendly

The Albiceleste enter this clash on the back of their 2-0 win over Panama and will look to maintain their momentum after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Less than a week after celebrating their FIFA World Cup win in front of a packed El Monumental, Argentina return to action on Tuesday, with the South American powerhouses facing Curacao. Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades will be the venue for this friendly as Scaloni looks to maintain their winning momentum.

This isn't the first friendly for La Albiceleste since their heroics at Qatar 2022, with the world champions locking horns with Panama on Thursday in front of their home crowd. Messi and Co. received an out-of-this-world reception during this game, with the fans serenading their players and giving everyone goosebumps during the national anthem — both Messi and Emi Martinez were brought to tears.

Once that was out of the way, Argentina took on the North American nation and were initially frustrated in the first 45. However, the home side found the breakthrough in the final 12 minutes of the game, with Thiago Almada netting in the 78th minute before Lionel Messi scored from a free kick in the 89th minute.

This was just another milestone for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner as he scored his 800th career goal in that 2-0 victory. A few days later, Argentina paid tribute to their inspirational captain by renaming their training ground after the Barcelona icon following a spectacular two years for La Pulga.

Argentina kick off their qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in six months' time and while a win over Curacao would help maintain their momentum, this result will do little to dampen their spirits even if they were to suffer an unexpected defeat.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup remains fresh in the minds of La Albiceleste fans, with Messi scoring a brace and leading his country to victory on penalty shootouts in what is arguably the greatest final in the tournament's history. As a result, Argentina can enter their clash with Curacao with no desire but to express themselves.

As for the visitors, they will be in for the tough task of halting the world champions. Just as was shown in the clash with Panama, Argentina only need a sniff or two at goal in order to score and Curacao will need to be at their best if they are to avoid defeat.

The Caribbean nation recently wrapped up their CONCACAF Nations League campaign, with Remko Bicentini's side finishing bottom of the group — to no one's surprise given their rivals. They were grouped with Canada and Honduras, and while Curacao pulled off one win, they lost their other three games.

The visitors' most recent outing was a home clash with Canada, with the North American heavyweights triumphing 2-0. This result leaves the Blue Stars with four consecutive defeats, a run that will likely stretch to five.

Curacao have never faced Argentina before. Given that the home side are the FIFA World Cup champions, their first encounter with La Albiceleste could not have come at a worse time.

Team news

Argentina: Messi is likely to captain his nation once more but after naming the identical lineup to the one that won against France for the friendly against Panama, expect Scaloni to shake things up this time around. Dybala, Lautaro and Lisandro Martinez, and Paredes will be hoping for a start, as will Almada, who scored in the recent 2-0 triumph.

Curacao: Jurien Gaari was sent off in the loss to Canada but that suspension does not carry over to international friendlies. However, Brandley Kuwas picked up a knock and could sit this game out.

Key stats

Argentina are currently on a seven-game winning streak.

Lionel Messi is currently on 99 goals for Argentina and needs one more to reach the century mark.

Only two other players (Cristiano Ronaldo and Ali Daei) have scored 100+ goals in international football and no other South American has achieved this feat.

Curacao are on a four-game losing streak and have won only once in their last 11 matches.