Argentina vs Uruguay Prediction: More Messi magic for world champions?

South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is well underway and on Friday morning (kick-off 00:00), we have a gargantuan clash to look forward to. World champions Argentina host Uruguay and below we have previewed the match, picking out a couple of selections.

Team News

Lionel Messi has been included in the squad and is hoping to make his 179th cap for his country. He barely played during the last international break but is now fully fit for these qualifiers. Alejandro Garnacho has been left out of this squad, as has Lucas Beltran, as manager Lionel Scaloni goes back to his tried and tested stars. 

Messi will come up against former teammate Luis Suarez here, as the Gremio forward is consistently linked with a move to Inter Miami. Captain Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, Darwin Nunez and Facundo Pellestri are all included in the squad. 

Match Odds

Argentina are 1/2 to win this game, while Uruguay are priced at 5/1. A draw is available at 13/5, over 2.5 goals is EVS and BTTS is 11/10. 

Argentina to win to nil @ 13/10

Argentina have been the best team in the world over the past three years. Not only did they win the World Cup in Qatar, but since then, they have been remarkable. In 2023, they’ve played eight matches, and won all eight. But even more impressive than that, they haven’t conceded a goal in any of those games. 

The last person to score against Argentina was Kylian Mbappe in the World Cup final. It’s a simply insane record that they would love to keep up over the next two matches, against Uruguay and Brazil. These are arguably two of the toughest qualifiers they can face, but there is absolutely no reason to oppose Scanloni’s side at the moment. They are impenetrable at the back and excellent in attack. The 13/10 on them to win to nil, as they have done in every match in 2023 so far, is worth backing. 

Lionel Messi to score anytime @ 23/20

The man for the big occasion. Messi’s scoring record for Argentina this year has been simply ridiculous. He’s scored nine goals in seven international appearances in 2023, and scored three goals in the two South American qualifiers that he has started. Everything in this Argentina team is built to get the best out of him, as we saw to great effect in the World Cup.

We can expect more of the same here, while Messi is also the designated set-piece and penalty taker. If Argentina win as expected, he is likely to play a big role in the victory.

Check out our other Fifa World Cup Betting Tips here.