The Argentine national team have, on Sunday, been afforded a potentially significant boost on the personnel front.
Lionel Scaloni’s troops, of course, were back in action yesterday evening.
After surviving an early scare to book their spot in the World Cup’s knockout rounds as group winners, the Albiceleste faced off with Australia, for a place in the competition’s quarter-finals.
And, when all was said and done, emerge triumphant is precisely what Argentina went on to do, courtesy of goals on the part of Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez.
Oh dear, Mathew Ryan.#AUS concede a cheap second and #ARG are in total control.
Julian Alvarez capitalises on a mistake from Ryan to score his fourth goal in his last six appearances for Argentina.#ARGAUS
📽️ @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/m9Lxz6EUwi
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) December 3, 2022
A showdown with the Netherlands, in turn, lies in wait next time out, as Messi and co. go about emulating the achievements of their legendary compatriots of years gone by, on international football’s grandest stage.
And, as alluded to above, ahead of Friday’s clash at the Lusail Stadium, Argentina have today been afforded a timely boost.
Wide-man Di Maria played no part against Australia on Saturday, owing to an issue with his left foot.
As per reliable journalist Gaston Edul of TyC Sports, though, the Juventus winger returned to training this afternoon, and is therefore expected to be available to feature from the off against the Netherlands.
Ángel Di María se entrenó hoy. Está mejor y va a poder participar vs Países Bajos. Tiene cuatro entrenamientos para evolucionar. Si llega bien vuelve al equipal titular, sino va a ir al banco y sí va a estar disponible para entrar.
Ayer no estaba para arriesgarlo. pic.twitter.com/8BXPMYXCX7— Gastón Edul (@gastonedul) December 4, 2022
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