Lautaro Martinez in motion© AFP
Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has been dominated out of Argentina’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers towards Uruguay and Brazil with a hamstring tear, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) stated. Martinez scored the second aim in Inter Milan’s 2-0 win at Atalanta within the Italian Serie A on Sunday earlier than he was substituted within the 91st minute. The AFA didn’t instantly identify a alternative for the 27-year-old. News of his absence got here two days after Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi withdrew from the squad with an adductor pressure, Xinhua experiences.
Argentina will meet Uruguay in Montevideo on Friday and Brazil in Buenos Aires subsequent Tuesday.
Lionel Scaloni’s males at present lead the 10-team South American zone qualifying standings with 25 factors from 12 video games, 5 factors away from second-placed Uruguay
Meanwhile, Central defender Ruben Ramirez will miss Venezuela’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers towards Ecuador and Peru as a result of a torn hamstring, the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) stated.
The 29-year-old sustained the harm whereas enjoying for Bolivia’s Club Bolivar, and MRI scans confirmed he could be unavailable for the double header of qualifiers.
“The analysis has led to the participant being faraway from the squad in order that he can proceed the restoration course of at his membership,” the FVF stated in an announcement.
Ramirez’s confirmed absence follows the withdrawal of Talleres Cordoba defender Miguel Navarro, who additionally has a leg muscle harm.
Venezuela will meet Ecuador in Quito on Friday and Peru in Maturin subsequent Tuesday. The Vinotinto is at present eighth within the 10-team South American qualifying group with 12 factors from as many outings.
With solely six matchdays to go, South American qualification for the FIFA World Cup 26 resumes with the continent’s first worldwide fixtures of 2025.
Argentina nonetheless paved the way heading into the upcoming fixtures however issues might but change on the prime of the desk – notably with the reigning South American champions set to face two powerful assessments towards their oldest rivals this month: Uruguay and Brazil.
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