Our prediction for this match:
Colombia
Match Time & Date:
11/09/2018
08:00 PM
Prediction: 1-0
Argentina
The MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey will host another friendly international between two South American nations, Colombia and Argentina. Both sides are preparing for the 2019 Copa America, especially Argentina who will look to improve after not showing much in Russia this summer. Their head to head record is in favor of Argentina who have won 24 out of 38 matches they played in. Colombia won on eight occasions. The last time they met, Argentina was the winner by a score of 3:0. Colombia matched Argentina by reaching the elimination stages in Russia, only to be gunned down by England after a penalty shootout. Ahead of this match, neither team is carrying good form with both losing a couple in their last four games. Colombia might spring a surprise here and beat Argentina as they are still recovering from their failure in the World Cup and will field a much changed team.
Highlighted Player (James Rodriguez):
James Rodriguez is an attacking midfielder who plays for Spanish giants Real Madrid. The Colombian superstar played for the likes of Envigado and Banfield at the start of his career and he moved to Europe in 2010, joining Portuguese side Porto for a fee of €5.1 million.
James scored 25 goals in 63 league appearances with the Dragons and in 2013 he joined Monaco. His transfer to the Ligue 1 side was the second most expensive in the history of Portuguese Primeira Liga (€45 million) and he signed a five-year contract with les Rouges et Blancs. The Colombian ace impressed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and, as a result, Real Madrid chiefs signed him on 22 July, 2014 for an undisclosed fee.
However, reports in Spain suggested that the fee was approximately €80 million. Rodriguez scored 13 goals in 29 league appearances for Real Madrid in the 2014/2015 Primera Division campaign and he was in Gareth Bale’s shadow in the 2015/2016 season. James is well known for his technical skills, his vision and the ability to create goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Highlighted Team (Argentina):
Members of the CONMEBOL confederation Argentina national team are headed by coach Gerardo Martino and are considered one of the most nations in footballing world. Renowned for their attacking powers and defensive discipline Argentina have been playing their international matches since 1901 and their first ever competitive victory over Uruguay 3-2.
Commonly referred to as La Seleccion, Argentina are top of the FIFA World ranking, but their most recent records have been below par with the team last winning a major trophy in 1993. Two-time World Cup winners have lost the 2014 final to Germany coming agonizingly close to the crown they last won in 1986. Javier Zanetti is the most capped player with 143 matches to his name while Javier Mascherano and Lionel Messi with 124 and 108 respectively are the current team members with most games to their name.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi is six goals short behind Gabriel Batistuta who is the team’s top scorer with 56 goals he scored playing for La Seleccion from 1991 to 2002.
Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona
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Osasuna
