Uruguay v Argentina – Line-ups, stats and preveiw

Match preview for Uruguay v Argentina

Argentina will continue their 2026 World Cup qualifying journey on Friday when they travel to Montevideo to face Uruguay.

The reigning world champions currently lead the South American standings with 25 points, while Uruguay sit five points behind in second place.

Since taking charge in May 2023, former Argentina manager Marcelo Bielsa has guided Uruguay to 12 wins, five draws, and four losses.

La Celeste started the qualifiers strongly, winning four of their first six matches, but their momentum has slowed recently, with just one win in their last six games.

Bielsa, who has faced Argentina three times in his managerial career, will be aiming to repeat his team’s impressive 2-0 victory in Buenos Aires last November.

Goals from Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nunez secured Uruguay’s first win against Argentina since October 2013, a result they will look to build upon at home.

Sitting at the top of the table with eight wins, one draw, and three defeats from 12 matches, Argentina are on course to maintain its streak of World Cup appearances, having qualified for every tournament since missing out in 1970.

#SelecciónMayor ¡Nuevo entrenamiento albiceleste! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/kzENPjUSQm

— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 19, 2025

However, their recent form has been inconsistent. While they secured three home victories after last summer’s Copa America triumph, they have struggled on the road, picking up only one point from their last three away matches.

Their last away win in World Cup qualifying came against Brazil in November 2023.

Argentina’s last outing in November saw them secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Peru at home. Lionel Messi played a key role in that match, providing the assist for the winning goal, but he will not be available for the upcoming fixture due to injury.

Team news for Uruguay v Argentina

Uruguay manager Bielsa has taken an unconventional approach by naming a 38-man squad for the upcoming matches against Argentina and Bolivia, meaning several players may not feature in match action.

Midfielder Manuel Ugarte is unavailable due to suspension after accumulating too many yellow cards.

Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo is set to return to international duty after missing the last six qualifiers due to injury.

Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez, who has openly admitted to struggling with his form, will be eager to regain confidence and score his first international goal since last year’s Copa America group stage.

For Argentina, Lionel Scaloni will have to navigate this fixture without some key players. Messi, the nation’s all-time leading goal scorer, is sidelined with an adductor injury sustained in Inter Miami’s recent match against Atlanta United.

Additionally, Gonzalo Montiel, Giovani Lo Celso, and Paulo Dybala are unavailable due to injuries, while striker Lautaro Martinez has also been ruled out after withdrawing from the squad with a hamstring issue.

🐆 pic.twitter.com/OmGuPuHGdK

— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) March 19, 2025

Expected line-ups for Uruguay v Argentina

Uruguay: Rochet; Nandez, R. Araujo, Gimenez, Saracchi; Valverde, Bentancur; Pellistri, Aguirre, M. Araujo; Nunez

Argentina: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Correa, Gonzalez, Alvarez

How to watch Uruguay v Argentina: TV channel, online stream

Uruguay v Argentina will kick-off at 20:30 local time. It is available to stream on Fubo TV.

The stats for Uruguay v Argentina

Prediction

Uruguay have already demonstrated their strength at home, having beaten both Brazil and Colombia in this qualifying campaign.

Given Argentina’s struggles on the road and the absence of key players like Messi and Martinez, Uruguay could capitalise on the opportunity.

With two losses in their last three away qualifiers, Argentina faces a tough challenge in this one and will do well to pick up all three points.

Prediction: Uruguay 2-2 Argentina