Argentina eyes Di Maria and Brazil tests Jesus ahead of World Cup qualifying clash
Associated PressRIO DE JANEIRO — Argentina and Brazil tested new options up front on Saturday for their World Cup qualifying match next week, an encounter that could give the losing side a bitter ending to 2023. Lionel Messi’s Argentina lost to Uruguay on Thursday its first match since it hoisted the World Cup trophy in Qatar, while the host of the superclasico will play without the injured Vinicius Júnior at the Maracana Stadium after two consecutive defeats in South American qualifying. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni tested a formation in the first training, eyeing the match in Rio de Janeiro with veteran Ángel di Maria replacing Nico González, trying to explore Brazil’s weaknesses on the flanks. The 36-year-old lost the 2014 World Cup final at the same Maracana Stadium where in 2021 he lifted his first national team title, that year’s edition of Copa America playing against Brazil in the final.