South American neighbours Argentina and Uruguay clash in an international friendly this week. La Bombonera is the setting as La Albiceleste commence a new era.

Life without Messi begins for Argentina

After scoring and assisting twice in his final match for Argentina against Benin in October, Lionel Messi is now officially retired from international football. Lionel Scaloni faces the challenge of building towards the 2030 World Cup without the legendary forward.

Nico Paz is one player who is capable of taking on some of Messi’s attacking responsibilities. The 22-year-old is in fine form for Como, with five goals and five assists in his past six appearances.

The hosts are missing Cristian Romero (Atlético Madrid), Lautaro Martínez (Inter) and Nicolás González (Juventus) through injury. Emiliano Martínez (Chelsea) has been included in the squad, despite recently suffering a fractured jaw. However, Gerónimo Rulli (Manchester City)could earn his 10th cap in goal.

Argentina predicted lineup vs Uruguay (4-3-3): Rulli; Montiel, Balerdi, Lisandro Martínez, Tagliafico; Fernández, Mac Allister, Paz; Simeone, Álvarez, Almada.

Uruguay welcome back Valverde ahead of Buenos Aires trip

This is also a fresh dawn for Uruguay, who are now under the management of Diego Forlán, following the departure of Marcelo Bielsa. The two-time world champions won two of their three friendlies during the last international break.

Fede Valverde (Real Madrid) missed those games due to injury, but he’s back and will play a key role in midfield. The 28-year-old has scored in his previous two appearances for Real Madrid.

Nahitan Nández (Al-Qadsiah) and Brian Rodríguez (América) are both sidelined for the visitors, who are likely to go with Darwin Núñez (Diriyah Club) up front. The ex-Liverpool striker has netted 16 times in 44 outings for his country. He’ll be looking to use his physical presence to win his duel with Argentina centre-back Lisandro Martínez.

Uruguay predicted lineup vs Argentina (4-3-3): Mele; Varela, R. Araújo, Giménez, Piquerez; Valverde, Bentancur, De Arrascaeta; Pellistri, Núñez, M. Araújo.

Argentina vs Uruguay Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Under 3 goals
  • Odds: 1.36 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Argentina 1-0 Uruguay
  • 22Bet Booking Code: ZRVBK

Key stats:

  • Four of the previous five meetings have ended with two or fewer goals.
  • None of the last four Argentina games have seen both teams score.
  • 50% of Uruguay’s fixtures in 2026 have produced two goals or fewer.

Argentina opted to take on weak opponents in the past international break, with Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Benin visiting for friendlies. They scored 14 goals across those matches, but it’ll be much tougher against Uruguay, who are ranked 20th in the world.

Three of the five clashes between these teams in the 2020s have ended with 1-0 scorelines. The risk in backing another low-scoring encounter is that this is only a friendly, so the two coaches have more freedom to play positively.

However, Forlán’s priority will still be to ensure his side are solid defensively. The underdogs have conceded more than once in only two of their eight outings in 2026. Backing under 3 goals is a safe pick at 1.36.

Argentina vs Uruguay Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Uruguay to score under 0.5 goals
  • Odds: 1.95 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: FAYBK

Only one of the previous nine meetings has ended with both teams on the scoresheet. Uruguay failed to net in seven of those games.

La Celeste were unimpressive at the 2026 World Cup, scoring just three times, despite being in a group with Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde. Backing them to net under 0.5 goals offers value at 1.95.

Verdict: Under 3 goals (1.36) — Argentina 1-0 Uruguay