Argentina vs El Salvador

Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field is the venue as Argentina and El Salvador go head-to-head in a ‘David vs Goliath’ friendly clash.

Despite missing their long-serving captain Lionel Messi due to injury, Argentina will take the field as odds-on favorites to make it three consecutive H2H wins, having won both previous matches against El Salvador 2-0. Confidence remains sky-high around Lionel Scaloni’s camp after a 1-0 win against arch-rivals Brazil in November 2023 made it nine victories ‘to nil’ across their last ten outings (L1). That run forms part of Argentina’s formidable spell of form, which has seen them lose just two of their 53 internationals since July 2019 (W41, D10). Moreover, the reigning World Cup holders have not lost an exhibition match since March 2019, racking up an eye-catching 13 wins across their last 16 friendlies (D3).

On the other hand, El Salvador’s dreadful run of 20 consecutive internationals without a win (D10, L10), stretching back to June 2022, features a dismal return of one point from four games in their CONCACAF Nations League A group, which resulted in relegation to League B. A lack of firepower in the front third has seen La Selecta fail to get on the scoresheet in four of their last seven games (D2, L5), casting further doubt on their slim hopes of registering their first goal against Argentina. New manager David Doniga has faltered during his early tenure, with El Salvador going winless in all three matches since he took charge in January (D2, L1), including a 1-1 draw against non-FIFA members Bonaire in midweek.