Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China PR
Chinese Taipei
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Côte d’Ivoire
Crimea
Croatia
Cuba
Curaçao
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
DR Congo
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
England
Equatorial Guinea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
Gabon
Gambia
GDR
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Gozo
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong SAR
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
IR Iran
Iraq
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Korea Republic
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyz Republic
Lao PDR
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Northern Ireland
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of Ireland
Réunion
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Martin
Samoa
San Marino
São Tomé e Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Scotland
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Shetland
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Sudan
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Tahiti
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
TR Northern Cyprus
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uruguay
US Virgin Islands
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
Wales
Yemen
Zambia
Zanzibar
Zimbabwe
This is the moment of truth for Lionel Messi and Argentina to keep shinning in what could be the best tournament they have performed in the past five years. They are looking stronger than the last two major competitions, they just need to confirm that against the surprising Venezuela National team. With Messi as their beacon of light and talent, manager Gerardo Martino has proved many different variations on the first three games to play with his best starting XI for this match.
Once again without Angel di Maria due to injury, they will have Gonzalo Higuain on the attack alongside Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero. The Manchester City striker spoke to the press ahead of the game against La Vinotinto: "You have to try to be happy, because there are many forwards out there who would love to be in this position. When I played with Higuain during the [Alejandro] Sabella era, we enjoyed it very much. But now I must respect the coach and give my best to those who are given starting spots."
Despite being one of Argentina's best players, Aguero doesn't think he will be among the starters next Saturday: "I don't think I will be in [among the starters], but I don't know how we will line up. Since the Copa started I've been on the bench, and I believe it will continue like this. I have to just prepare myself for when the team and coach needs me. But I knew this could happen, because Higuain had a very good season."
Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano, also wanted to give props to manager Dudamel for turning Venezuela into a really competitive side: "We have seen a change, not only in a footballing sense but in regards to the atmosphere within the squad as well. Dudamel has given confidence to these players, and the results have reflected that. Any team that has a positive dynamic like that can cause problems."
Venezuela striker Salomon Rondon, also previewed the match in a media conference: "What's been happening in the World Cup qualifiers stays there. This Copa is very important for us, and we are here to play all six games. This tournament is a great opportunity to do good things, with players who are doing very well at their clubs, and with youngsters who are continuing to grow. This Copa is important to renew Venezuela's image. We are convinced and we believe in our ability because we have prepared well, we have an incredible group and even though we are playing a difficult rival, we don't feel like we're below anyone."
Possible lineups:
Argentina starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Romero; Roncaglia, Otamendi, Cuesta, Funes Mori; Banega, Mascherano; Lavezzi, Messi, Aguero; Higuain.
Venezuela starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Hernandez; Gonzalez, Angel, Velazquez, Feltscher; Guerra, Rincon, Seijas, Penaranda; Martinez, Rondon.
Photo credit: Seleccion Argentina
