Our prediction for this match:
Argentina
Match Time & Date:
27/03/2024
03:50
Prediction: 3-1
Costa Rica
Argentina will be aiming to build on a routine 3-0 win over El Salvador when they take on Costa Rica at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Inter Miami ace Lionel Messi remains on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, while Manchester United winger Garnacho should be recalled to the starting XI. Experienced defender Nicolas Otamendi is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up as well.
Los Ticos, on the other hand, proved their worth in the CONCACAF Nations League win over Honduras, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against Argentina. Even though the World Cup winners will be without Messi in Wednesday’s friendly, anything but a routine home win would be a big shock. As for the nominal visitors, all Campbell, Vargas, and Contreras are pushing for a start after the trio came off the bench in the triumph over los Catrachos.
Highlighted Player (Angel di Maria):
Angel Di Maria is a professional footballer who played for Argentine side Rosario Central at the start of his senior career. The left-footed winger is very quick on the ball and he often makes life difficult for opposition defenders. After playing for Benfica between 2007 and 2010, the Argentine superstar signed for Real Madrid on 28 June, 2010 for a fee of €25 million + €11 million in bonuses.
Despite impressing with los Blancos in the 2013/2014 La Liga campaign, the club chiefs decided to sell him to Manchester United on 26 August, 2014. Di Maria was playing below expectations at Old Trafford and he scored three goals in 27 league games for the Red Devils.
In 2015 he moved to Paris Saint-Germain and he scored 10 goals in 29 league appearances for les Parisiens in the 2015/2016 Ligue 1 campaign. In 2014 he won the Champions League trophy with Real Madrid and that is considered the biggest success of his career. Angel Di Maria was born in Rosario on 14 February, 1988.
Highlighted Team (Costa Rica):
Los Ticos are administered by the Costa Rican Football Federation and are members of the CONCACAF confederation competing at the international stage since 1921, although it was not until 1927 that they had become the FIFA members.
Costa Rica is the most successful national football team in the history of Central America with eight championships and their decorated reputation was upheld in 2014 when the current Central American champions made an imposing impression during the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Having reached the quarter-finals, Costa Ricans continue to be a thorn in the side for a many bigger soccer nations.
Alvaro Saborio is the most-capped member of the current team captained by Bryan Ruiz, but the most prominent star of the squad is definitely Real Madrid goalkeeper and 2016 Champions League winner Keylor Navas. Arsenal forward Joel Campbell is also a notable player whose 2014 FIFA World Cup performances have been nothing short of impressive.
Arsenal 
Newcastle 
Eldense 
Valencia 
Athletic Bilbao 
Barcelona
Tottenham
Liverpool
Real Madrid 
Mallorca
Sheffield United 
Cardiff 
