Argentina are once again reeling from an unexpected defeat as the Albiceleste hope to turn things around with a home match against Peru on Tuesday evening.
A 2-1 road defeat at Paraguay came as a shock to the reigning world champions who were thwarted in Asuncion by a pair of sensational goals from Antonio Sanabria and Omar Alderete before Lautaro Martinez reduced the deficit.
Despite that, Argentina remain top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings and sit in a strong position, but need to reverse their fortunes fast to avoid slipping from that mantle. Uruguay are three points adrift, and a win over struggling Brazil could draw them level should Argentina slip again.
Peru, meanwhile, are in a precarious position of their own on the opposite end of the table, resting ninth among the 10-team list with just seven points through 11 matches. A scoreless draw with bottom-feeders Chile did them no favors in providing hope of a resurgence, as the attack sputters with just one goal in their last four qualifying games and three in total to this point in the cycle.
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Argentina vs. Peru lineups, confirmed starting 11, team news
Argentina are extremely thin at center-back which presents a selection issue for Lionel Scaloni. Lisandro Martinez is unavailable due to a knock picked up recently with Manchester United, while German Pezzella also withdrew from the squad. Now, Cristian Romero has picked up a toe injury, substituted off at halftime of the loss to Paraguay and is set to miss out against Peru.
That means Leonardo Balerdi earns a rare cap at the back as Scaloni is forced to dig deep into the depth chart.
Also out injured for Argentina is Marcos Acuna who is set to miss a number of weeks with a hamstring injury, while Nico Gonzalez is absent due to a thigh problem of his own. Star forward Paulo Dybala has also picked up another perfectly-timed injury to keep him away from national team duty.
Argentina starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): E. Martinez (GK) — Montiel, Balerdi, Otamendi, Tagliafico — De Paul, E. Fernandez, Mac Allister — Messi, La. Martinez, Alvarez.
Injured: Li. Martinez (back), Pezzella (muscle), Romero (toe), Acuna (hamstring), N. Gonzalez (thigh), Dybala (muscle).
Suspended: None.
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Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese will return between the sticks for this match after being suspended for the scoreless draw with Chile.
They are, however, without veteran midfielder Renato Tapia who was forced to withdraw from the national team due to injury for the second straight international camp.
Peru head coach Jorge Fossati has made two changes, giving the hook to Wilter Cartegena in midfield and Aldo Corzo along the back line. In their places come 23-year-old Jesus Castillo and 35-year-old Carlos Zambrano.
Peru starting XI (3-5-2, right to left): Gallese (GK) — Zambrano, Araujo, Callens — Polo, Sonne, Castillo, Pena, Advincula — Guerrero, Valera.
Injured: Tapia (groin).
Suspended: None.
Argentina vs. Peru live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying match across selected areas of the world's major regions.
All regions without a dedicated television or streaming deal can find the match streaming on Fanatiz.
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Telemundo | Fubo USA, ViX |
| Canada | — | Fanatiz |
| UK | Premier Sports 1 | Premier Player |
| Australia | SBS | SBS on Demand |
| India | — | Fanatiz |
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