Argentina are set for a rapturous return as they play their first game on home soil since winning the world title in Qatar back in December last year.
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Argentina welcome Panama to Buenos Aires on Friday for their first fixture since the World Cup triumph at the end of last year. A capacity crowd of 83000 fans will be present at the El Monumental to watch the world champions take part in an international friendly. La Albiceleste overcame France on penalties in arguably the most exciting final match in the history of the event and lifted the Jules Rimet trophy for the first time in 36 years. Panama, meanwhile, where involved in an international friendly almost ten days ago, playing out a 1-1 draw against Guatemala.
#SelecciónMayor Esta noche, los campeones del mundo enfrentarán a Panamá por tercera 3⃣ vez en la historia ⚽
🔙 Repasamos el historial entre #Argentina y el conjunto panameño.
📝 https://t.co/2PaZ2p8eMo pic.twitter.com/fLq6PtRShR— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) March 23, 2023
Argentina are set for a rapturous return as they play their first game on home soil since winning the world title in Qatar back in December last year. The title-decider at Lusail Stadium ended 3-3 at the end of extra time. First-half goals from Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria put Argentina 2-0 up and they looked in complete control until Kylian Mbappe scored a brace in the final ten minutes to force the match into extra time. Messi’s second of the night in the 108th-minute was canceled out by Mbappe ten minutes minutes later, and the match went into tie breaker. Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez’s heroics between the sticks helped the South Americans lift their third world title. With La Albiceleste not due to begin their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign until September, Lionel Scaloni’s side will return to action with two international friendlies against Panama and Curacao this month. Meanwhile, Argentina have lost just once in their last 44 outings in all competitions. Their lone defeat since 2019, came against Saudi Arabia in the 2022 World Cup group stage.
Panama, on the other hand, have qualified for the World Cup finals only once in their history and that was in 2018. Last time out, the North American nation finished fifth in the CONCACAF qualification standings, winning six, drawing three and losing five of their 14 games. After ending their qualification campaign with a 1-0 win over table-toppers Canada, the Canal Men had an impressive CONCACAF Nations League, recording two wins and a draw from three games, to be sitting at the top of Group B. They can complete the group stage unbeaten with a win over Costa Rica next Wednesday. The Red Tide have faced La Albiceleste only two times, losing both of those matches.
Argentina Probable Starting Lineup: Martinez, Molina, Otamendi, L Martinez, Acuna, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez, Di Maria
Panama Probable Starting Lineup: Guerra, Anderson, Ramos, Peralta, Farina, Galvan, Murillo, Camargo, Quintero, Cordoba, Stephens
Argentina
| Opponents | Score |
| France | 3(4)-(2)3 (W) |
| Croatia | 3-0 (W) |
| Netherlands | 2-3 (W) |
| Australia | 2-1 (W) |
| Poland | 0-2 (W) |
Panama
| Opponents | Score |
| Guatemala | 1-1 (D) |
| Cameroon | 1-1 (D) |
| Venezuela | 2-2 (D) |
| Saudi Arabia | 1-1 (D) |
| Qatar | 2-1 (L) |
| Last 2 match-results | Score |
| Argentina beat Panama | 5-0 |
| Argentina beat Panama | 3-1 |
The international friendly match between Argentina and Panama will take place at El Monumental on Friday at 5:00 AM IST.
| Argentina vs Panama | Key Details |
| Date | March 23 (Argentina) |
| Venue | El Monumental |
| Kickoff time in Argentina | 8:30 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in Panama | 6:30 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 5:00 am (Friday) |
The live telecast of the match between Argentina and Panama will be available on TYC Sports network and DIRECTV Sports App in Argentina. Besides, those in Panama catch the live action via TVMax.
