Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has announced his starting lineup for the match against Iceland, making several changes from the team that began the 2-0 win over Honduras.
The lineup features goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli behind a back line of Gabriel Giay, Nicolás Otamendi, Lisandro Martínez and Facundo Medina. In midfield, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios and Ezequiel Barco will start, while the attack includes Giuliano Simeone, José Manuel López and Nico Paz.
A notable aspect of Scaloni’s selection is the inclusion of both José Manuel López and Nico Paz in the starting eleven. Their presence adds fresh options in the attacking phase as Argentina prepares for another test against Iceland.
The changes suggest Scaloni is using the match to evaluate different combinations and give opportunities to players who were not part of the previous starting group. Compared with the side that faced Honduras, Argentina’s lineup has been adjusted across multiple positions, showing a willingness to rotate while maintaining a competitive core.
Rulli’s selection in goal gives Argentina experience and reliability in the last line of defense. The defensive unit combines Otamendi and Lisandro Martínez at center back, supported by Giay and Medina on the flanks. That structure provides a mix of experience, youth and balance as Argentina looks to control the game from the back.
In midfield, Lo Celso and Palacios are expected to play important roles in ball progression and possession, while Barco offers creativity and energy in the center of the pitch. Together, the trio will be tasked with linking defense and attack and helping Argentina establish rhythm early in the match.
Up front, Simeone, López and Nico Paz will be responsible for stretching Iceland’s defense and creating scoring chances. López and Paz, in particular, are among the players under the spotlight as they begin the match from the start and look to make an impression on Scaloni’s plans.
Argentina enters the fixture with confidence after defeating Honduras 2-0, but the adjustments in the lineup indicate a continued focus on assessment and squad depth. Scaloni’s decisions reflect both immediate match preparation and the broader objective of building options within the national team setup.
The starting eleven shows that Argentina continues to blend established names with emerging talent, keeping competition for places alive as the team moves through its preparations. With changes from the previous match, the squad will aim to deliver another strong performance against Iceland while giving key opportunities to several players looking to cement their roles.
