Overview
- Kickoff is Friday at Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, with TyC Sports and Telefe carrying the broadcast in Argentina and streaming on their platforms.
- Coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi is slated to play, though the number of minutes will be decided on the day.
- Several regulars did not travel due to yellow fever documentation requirements—Julián Álvarez, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolás González and Nahuel Molina—while Enzo Fernández is injured and Emiliano Martínez was rested.
- Late call-ups include Kevin Mac Allister and Emiliano Buendía, and Gerónimo Rulli is set to start in goal.
- Public interest has surged, from a 20,000-plus open training in Elche to rapid ticket sellouts in Luanda, as Argentina and Angola meet for only the second time after a 2006 friendly.