Ukraine and Argentina head onto a massive clash in the final group game with all teams level on three points in Group B.
UR-U23 vs ARG-U23 Match Details
Date: Tuesday, 28 July 2024
Time: 17:00 (CET), 20:30 (IST)
Venue: Stade de Lyon, Lyon
UR-U23 vs ARG-U23 Match Preview
Despite losing to Iraq in their opening group game, Ukraine kept their dream of reaching a first-ever knockout stage in the Olympics alive with a last-gasp 2-1 win over Morocco last week. Dmytro Kryskiv gave the European side the lead in the 21st minute but the Atlas Lions levelled from the spot in the 64th minute through the in-form Soufiane Rahimi. Almost on the brink of elimination with the point not doing enough, substitute Igor Krasnopir came up with a late stoppage-time winner to stun the Moroccans who clinched the win against Argentina in another dramatic match. Ukraine will face La Albecieste next requiring a win to create history. A draw will complicate the matter, while a loss will end their journey. Ruslan Rotan’s side will hope their first Olympic appearance is not short-lived as they draw motivation from Argentina’s loss in the tournament’s chaotic curtain raiser.
Javier Mascherano's side bounced back strongly from their stinging 2-1 loss to Morocco as they secured a controlled 3-1 win over Iraq three days later. Thiago Almada gave Argentina an early lead but Aymen Hussein put the Lions of Mesopotamia back on level terms at the stroke of half-time. However, the South American giants were well-equipped this time with substitute Luciano Gondou restoring the lead coming on the hour-mark and Ezequiel Fernandez confirming the win in the 85th minute. Another substitute Kevin Zenon created the assists for the goals in the second half. Winning against Ukraine in the final group game will also help them earn the top spot and avoid a group winner in what will be their first knockout stage appearance after three editions.
UR-U23 vs ARG-U23 Predicted Lineups
Ukraine U23
Fesyun; Krupskyi, Talovierov, Batagov, Martinyuk; Khlan, Rubchynskyi, Mykhailenko, Bragaru; Kryskiv, Sikan
Argentina U23
Rulli; Garcia, Di Cesare, Otamendi, Soler; Almada, Fernandez, Zenon, Medina; Gondou, Alvarez
UR-U23 vs ARG-U23 Dream11 Match Prediction
Argentina should be able to avoid another shock in their attempt to reach the quarterfinals with a win against Ukraine. The Ukrainian will make it tough for them but Mascherano's boys will be good enough to pass the test. We predict a 2-1 win for Argentina.
UR-U23 vs ARG-U23 Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Julian Alvarez
Vice-captain Picks: Ezequiel Fernandez, Thiago Almada
UR-U23 vs ARG-U23 Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Rulli (Cr - 8)
DEF: Krupski (Cr - 7.5), Otamendi (Cr - 9), Di Cesare (Cr - 8.5)
MID: Zenon (Cr - 7.5), Rubchynskyi (7), Fernandez (Cr - 9), Kryskiv (Cr - 8.5), Almada (Cr - 7.5)
FW: Sikan (Cr - 9), Alvarez (Cr - 9)
Vice-captain: Ezequiel Fernandez
Captain: Julian Alvarez
