Form and Line-up Argentina
Since the end of the qualifying campaign, Argentina have not faced European national teams. The Finalissima against Spain was cancelled because of the conflict in the Middle East. All six matches were played against teams from Latin America and Africa, and the team won them all. There was not a single participant in the upcoming World Cup among the opponents.
Key numbers:
Five of the last six friendly wins have come with a clean sheet.
Argentina have scored 2+ goals in their last five matches.
Both teams to score has not landed in seven of the last eight matches.
Probable line-up (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez - Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Agustin Giay - Exequiel Palacios, Valentin Barco - Thiago Almada, Giovani Lo Celso, Giuliano Simeone - Lautaro Martinez.
Absentees: Gonzalo Montiel, Leo Messi (doubtful)
Form and Line-up Iceland
Iceland had a chance to at least reach the World Cup play-offs, but in the final round of their European qualifying group they needed to avoid defeat against Ukraine. The team failed to do so (0:2) and finished only third. In friendlies, that defeat turned into a winless run (two draws and three losses), but it must be said that realistically the Icelanders were capable of beating only Haiti and Canada: both opponents had to come from behind.
Key numbers:
Iceland have failed to score in three of their last five matches.
Their last meeting with a national team from the CONMEBOL zone came in September 2022: they beat Venezuela (1:0) on neutral ground.
In four of Iceland's last seven matches, one of the sides scored two goals.
Probable line-up (5-4-1): Hakon Valdimarsson - Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, Stefan Teitur Thordarson, Daniel Gretarsson, Hjortur Hermannsson, Logi Tomasson - Mikael Ellertsson, Gisli Thordarson, Andri Fannar Baldursson, Kristian Hlynsson - Brynjolfur Willumsson.
