Argentina Face Burkina Faso in International Friendly: What to Expect, Bold Predictions, and Starting Lineups

Argentina prepares for an unprecedented encounter with Burkina Faso in the last international friendly before Lionel Messi's farewell match scheduled for next week.

La Albiceleste will say goodbye to the iconic forward in the upcoming friendly against Benin, but must first turn their focus toward a different African opponent.

Lionel Scaloni's squad kicked off the post-Messi era in impressive fashion, thrashing Bolivia 4–0 in their first outing since falling to Spain in last summer's World Cup final. Lautaro Martínez got the ball rolling before Nico Paz, Cristian Romero and José López all added to the Inter striker's opener.

Argentina fielded a strong squad against Bolivia, and while some rotation is anticipated against Burkina Faso, a solid core of players will remain unchanged.

The Stallions prepared for their long journey to South America by drawing with Benin and defeating the Central African Republic in Africa Cup of Nations competitive qualifiers. Argentina, however, will present an entirely different challenge.

Argentina vs. Burkina Faso Score Prediction

La Albiceleste Score Four Again

No Messi, no problem.

Argentina cruised to a dominant victory without their departing icon, and there's a strong likelihood they deliver yet another comfortable win against weaker opposition.

Burkina Faso is not to be underestimated, having claimed eight wins from their last 13 matches, but Argentina's quality across all positions combined with home advantage should pave the way for another high-scoring result.

Argentina has looked shaky at the back over recent months, conceding in six of their last seven games, but that vulnerability shouldn't prevent them from taking the win this weekend.

Prediction: Argentina 3–1 Burkina Faso

Argentina Predicted Lineup vs. Burkina Faso

Scaloni may ring the changes from the side that dismantled Bolivia in the previous fixture. Some of those adjustments could be forced, as a minor injury to Lautaro Martínez potentially opens the door for López to partner Julian Álvarez in attack.

Santiago Simón and Facundo Medina could be handed opportunities at fullback, while Equi Fernández may build on his senior debut against Bolivia with a maiden start in midfield alongside the impressive Alexis Mac Allister.

Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez are likely to continue as the preferred center back pairing, with Emiliano Martínez expected to start between the posts.

Tomás Palacios, Matías Soulé and Santiago Castro will each be hoping to make their international debuts.

Argentina predicted lineup vs. Burkina Faso (4-4-2): E. Martínez; Simón, Romero, Li. Martínez, Medina; Paz, Mac Allister, Eq. Fernández, González; Álvarez, López.

Burkina Faso Predicted Lineup vs. Argentina

Head coach Amir Abdou faces uncertainty over the fitness of Brentford winger Dango Ouattara ahead of the Argentina fixture, after illness ruled him out of both AFCON qualifiers during this international window.

Nevertheless, the Stallions retain attacking options in his absence, with Shakhtar Donetsk forward Lassina Traoré spearheading the attack. He has found the net in 14 of his 33 appearances for the national side.

Edmond Tapsoba will be crucial to Burkina Faso's efforts to contain Argentina's attackers, with Wrexham's Issa Kaboré set to partner the Bayer Leverkusen defender at the back.

Burkina Faso predicted lineup vs. Argentina (4-1-4-1): Koffi; Kaboré, Djiga, E. Tapsoba, Kouassi; Doucet; Bouda, A. Tapsoba, I. Ouédraogo, Zagré; L. Traoré.

What Time Does Argentina vs. Burkina Faso Kick Off?

How to Watch Argentina vs. Burkina Faso on TV, Live Stream