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World Cup warm-up game as it happened: UAE 0-5 Argentina

Lionel Messi dazzled as the two-time World Cup winners beat UAE in their warm-up match in Abu Dhabi

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Nov 16, 2022, 07:23 PM

Argentina in final tune-up for World Cup

Lionel Messi celebrates with teammate Joaquin Correa after scoring during Argentina's 3-0 win against Jamaica at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. AFP

Hello and welcome to The National's coverage of Argentina's final World Cup warm-up fixture.


The two-time World Cup winners are in action in Abu Dhabi where they face the UAE.

The Copa America champions, currently unbeaten in 35 matches, are considered by many as favourites for the tournament in Qatar, which kicks-off on Sunday.

Lionel Messi will lead Argentina into what is expected to be his final World Cup at Qatar 2022 after coach Lionel Scaloni named on Friday his 26-man squad, which includes injured forward Paulo Dybala.


Nov 16, 2022, 07:33 PM

Messi warms up 

Nov 16, 2022, 07:32 PM

Team news

Here's the Argentina XI. 
And for the UAE...
Nov 16, 2022, 07:30 PM

UAE will not ease off tackling against Argentina

In the home technical area tonight is an Argentine - Rodolfo Arruabarrena. 
The UAE manager said Wednesday’s friendly will be important for his side’s future ambitions, and he played down reports regarding instructing his players to avoid injuring their World Cup-bound opponents.


He said on Tuesday:
“First, I would like to make it very clear that the players have been told that it is very important to play and I will never tell them to be careful. They are responsible. I hope we all enjoy, no injuries, and that Argentina will go on in the best way possible. For me as an Argentinian, that is all I want.
“My players will play to compete and to win. We are going to play against some of the world’s best players, so they are fans.
“I will be fan No 1 for Argentina from Thursday onwards, but for now I am working for my team here and we are here to compete and enjoy the experience of playing against one of the best teams in the world.”

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Nov 16, 2022, 07:27 PM

Lionel Scaloni plays down World Cup pressure

Fans in Abu Dhabi enjoyed a open training session on Monday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
John McAuley writes:
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has played down the pressure on his in-form side heading into the Fifa World Cup.
Speaking at a press conference at Al Nahyan Stadium – the match takes place at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium – Scaloni said: “We don't have pressure because in the end this is football, we're going to play a football World Cup.
“We're conscious what football represents for Argentina, but it's sport and that's why we have to step on the pitch and do our own thing. We have to come out and play the way we know how to. And then there are a lot of unknowns.”