Two goals from free kicks and a win. As if it were a sporting tribute to the star Lionel Andrés Messi in the AFA stadium that bears his name since the conquest of the World Cup in Qatar, the Argentina U23 National Team closed this Sunday with another victory over Ecuador (2-0) with two direct free-kicks to celebrate in the series of friendlies that served as preparation for the Pre-Olympic Games in Venezuela. Paris 2024 qualifier.
#Sub23 This is how captain Thiago Almada scored for Argentina's partial victory over Ecuador 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3gitO5f8Bc
— 🇦🇷 Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ National Team (@Argentina) December 17, 2023
And precisely a world champion in Qatar like Thiago Almada, one day before the first anniversary of the title in Arab lands, and the consolidated Boca Juniors full-back Valentín Barco, one in each half, were the protagonists of the triumph of the Albiceleste in Ezeiza.
🏆 #Sub23 Valentín Barco ⚽️ makes it 2-0 pic.twitter.com/3S2ZXhb6oR
— 🇦🇷 Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ National Team (@Argentina) December 17, 2023
The match was going to be played at the Centenario stadium in Quilmes this Sunday and with an audience, but it was suspended due to the strong storm that hit the province of Buenos Aires and the AMBA region during the early morning.
Coach Javier Mascherano made several changes to the starting eleven compared to the one he had thrashed 3-0 on Thursday at the Estudiantes stadium in Buenos Aires.
Thus, Argentina came out with: Leandro Brey; Gonzalo Luján, Ian Glavinovich, Aaron Quirós, Valentín Barco; Juan Nardoni, Juan Sforza, Ramiro Enrique, Thiago Almada; Facundo Farías and Santiago Castro.
🏆 #Sub23 Javier Mascherano's team closes this cycle of friendlies with two victories and is already thinking about the Olympic Qualifiers.
🇦🇷 Let's go! 💪 pic.twitter.com/anuuzWLUK9
— 🇦🇷 Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ National Team (@Argentina) December 17, 2023
Vélez Sarsfield defender Joaquín García, Argentinos Juniors striker Luciano Gondou, Boca defender Nicolás Valentini, Newell's Old Boys attacker Francisco González, 'xeneizes' midfielders Ezequiel Fernández and Cristian Medina, Lanús goalkeeper Rocco Ríos, and Argentinos Juniors defender Marco Di Cesare came on later.
The "Jefecito" team continues its preparation for the South American U23 Pre-Olympic Tournament in Venezuela, which will be held between January 20 and February 11, 2024.
Argentina occupies Group B and will debut on Sunday, January 21 against Paraguay, then face Peru on Wednesday 24, Chile on Tuesday 30 and Uruguay on Friday, February 2, all starting at 20 p.m. (Argentine time).