The Manchester City striker, who started the first friendly against Ecuador, could not convert and the drought reached 12 games.
The Argentine National Team beat Ecuador 1-0 in the first of the last two friendlies before the start of the Copa América in the United States and Julián Alvarez could not end the drought.
The forward of Manchester Citywho shared the attack along with Lautaro Martínez and Ángel Di María, since Lionel Messi started the match on the substitute bench, reached 12 games without being able to convert.
Julián had no options to convert, he generally played outside the area and had the usual display. His best interventions were some front changes from left to right.
Alvarez takes seven scores in 30 games disputed with the Albiceleste and their last cry dates back to December 13, 2022within the framework of the semi-final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup versus Croatia (3-0) at Lusail Stadium. Julián had been stung by Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo De Paul, but he opted for the personal one and did not fail: the ex-River became a bulldozer until he got under the goal of Dominik Livakovic, who had already given him a penalty and was now demanding a alleged hand in the temporary 2-0. A beautiful goal and with a lot of luck, enough for the light blue and white substitute bench to explode with emotion.
Argentina national team vs. Croatia: Julián Álvarez’s goal (2-0)
But from that day everything changed. And although he was always summoned for the following commitments of the Argentine National Teameither for what was left of Qatar 2022, South American qualifiers heading to the 2026 World Cup either friendly Like today, luck eluded the native of Calchín, who started most of the times. France, PanamaCuracao (did not add minutes), Australia, Indonesia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, BrazilEl Salvador (did not add minutes) and Costa Rica.
Given the performance below the expectations of Lautaro Martínezsuffering from an injury, the forward of Manchester City He had earned a place in the Albiceleste and paid handsomely. All until Toro was able to reverse his situation in this last season, especially with Inter Milan, after becoming champion of Serie A, MVP and top scorer with 24 goals (two from penalties) in 38 games.
Lautarowhich came with a streak similar to Julián’she took off his mufa and He returned to scoring in the Argentine National Team during the friendly victory against Costa Rica 3-1, also in the United States, on March 27. Paradoxically, The ex-Racing cut his streak of 777 minutes without converting at 77 minutes of play, shortly after replacing Alejandro Garnacho, when after a good appearance by Di María on the right he unloaded to De Paul, who managed to put the deep pass in for him to finish with a touch at the far post.
Argentina national team vs. Costa Rica: Lautaro Martínez’s goal (3-1)
After scoring against Honduras in one of the friendly matches prior to the 2022 World Cup, on September 23 of that year, Lautaro had started with a negative streakthe worst staff in the Argentine National Team: were 16 games, but only three complete. Despite the drought, El Toro is the second top scorer of the Scaloneta with 21 goalsonly behind Messi, who reached 41 during a great 2023.
How Julián Álvarez arrives at the Copa América
Julianunlike Lautaro who renewed his contract in the last week, is wanted by different very powerful teams in Europe, such as Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid. Relegated in Pep Guardiola’s consideration for the starting eleven, the future of the one who emerged from the lower River He may be in another club.
Of the 38 games that City played in the Premier League, 31 had the Argentine as a starter, but in the last five games he only saw many minutes against Nottingham Forest (89), in the other four he did not play more than 10 minutes. He entered in the 82nd against Fulham and Wolverhampton, in the 90th vs. Tottenham and did not take the field against West Ham.
In the Champions League, Real Madrid was the executioner of Julián’s team in the quarterfinals, an instance in which he only played 33 minutes of the 210 possible. In the rest of the games, he only completed 90 against Red Star on the first date, when he scored a double to win 3 to 1.
Alvarez in the Argentine National Team seems to be the starting option for the most difficult matches. In view of Uruguay (undefeated missed) and Brazilon the last FIFA date corresponding to the South American Qualifierswas in the starting 11 and He played 158 of the 180 possible minutes.
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