Argentina vs Burkina Faso prediction: the Argentinians are learning to cope without Messi
On October 3, Argentina will face Burkina Faso in a friendly at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Kickoff is scheduled for 21:00 local time. For Lionel Scaloni's side, this will be another test after the World Cup and an opportunity to continue rebuilding the squad ahead of the next official tournaments.
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The main storyline surrounding Argentina is their first steps without Lionel Messi. The legendary captain has ended his international career, with his farewell match scheduled for October 6 against Benin. That is why particular attention will be focused on the players who will have to take on greater responsibility in attack.
In their last outing, Argentina comfortably defeated Bolivia 4-0. Lautaro Martínez, Nico Paz, Cristian Romero and José Manuel López got on the scoresheet. Paz was especially impressive, scoring a goal and also helping a teammate find the net. However, there is also cause for concern: Martínez was substituted due to a suspected injury, so his involvement in the upcoming game remains in doubt.
Burkina Faso have their own strengths as well. Amir Abdou's team head to Argentina after a successful start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. First, the Stallions drew 1-1 with Benin, then defeated the Central African Republic 1-0. Aboubacar Kamara scored the only goal of the second match. It was an important boost for the national team ahead of a meeting with one of the strongest opponents on the international stage.
The visitors have plenty of players capable of causing problems for Argentina's defense. Dango Ouattara, who plays for English side Brentford, defender Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen and forward Lassina Traoré, familiar to Ukrainian fans from his time at Shakhtar, deserve particular mention. However, captain Bertrand Traoré was not included in the squad for this international window, meaning the team will be without one of its best-known players.
There are also question marks over the goalkeeper position. First-choice goalkeeper Hervé Koffi is dealing with health issues, and the head coach has yet to confirm whether he will be fit for the match. Against Argentina, such uncertainty is especially troubling: the hosts know how to apply pressure and regularly overload the opponent's penalty area.
Tactically, much will depend on how long Burkina Faso can remain compact. Argentina will surely look to control possession and stretch the defense through the wings, while the visitors may rely on quick counterattacks using Ouattara's pace. It will be crucial for Abdou's side not to sit deep for the entire match, otherwise coping with the constant pressure will be extremely difficult.
Overall, Argentina come into the match after a convincing win over Bolivia, but Burkina Faso have also built momentum in competitive games. For Scaloni, this is an opportunity to assess his immediate reserves and see who is ready to assume leadership roles without Messi. The visitors, meanwhile, will have a rare chance to test themselves against an opponent of this caliber. If Argentina score early, the game could produce plenty of goals. But the well-organized African side should certainly not be underestimated.
My prediction: over 2.5 total goals
