Ukraine U23 vs Argentina U23 Prediction: Argentina U23 are favored to secure a 3-1 victory over Ukraine U23 in this crucial Olympic Group B match, though Ukraine’s resilience could make for a closely fought contest.
The Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France is set to host a crucial Olympic Games Group B encounter between Ukraine U23 and Argentina U23 on July 30, 2024. With both teams level on points after two matches, this fixture could determine who advances to the knockout stages.
Match Preview
Ukraine and Argentina find themselves in a precarious position heading into the final group game. Both sides have collected three points from their opening two matches, leaving Group B finely poised. The stakes couldn’t be higher as a win for either team would secure passage to the next round.
Ukraine bounced back from an opening day defeat to Iraq with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Morocco. Dmytro Kryskiv opened the scoring before Igor Krasnopir netted a stoppage-time winner to keep their Olympic dreams alive.
Argentina, meanwhile, recovered from a shock loss to Morocco by overcoming Iraq 3-1. Thiago Almada, Luciano Gondou, and Ezequiel Fernandez were on target as La Albiceleste flexed their attacking muscles.
Predicted Ukraine U23 vs Argentina U23 Lineups and Formation
Predicted Ukraine U23 Lineup (4-4-2): Kryskiv, Talovierov, Fesyun, Sikan, Rubchynskyi, Bragaru, Khlan, Martinyuk, Batagov, Mykhailenko, Krupskyi.
Predicted Argentina U23 (4-4-2): Di Cesare, Hezze, Otamendi, Garcia, Soler, Alvarez, Fernandez, Rulli, Simeone, Medina, Almada.
Ukraine are likely to stick with the formation that brought them success against Morocco. The experienced Maksym Talovierov should slot into central defense to replace the suspended Volodymyr Salyuk.
Argentina may opt for a similar lineup to the one that impressed against Iraq. However, they face an anxious wait on the fitness of Lucas Beltran, who was forced off with an injury in their previous match.
Players Unavailable or Injured
Both teams are facing some selection challenges due to injuries and suspensions. Here’s a list of players who may miss out on this crucial encounter:
Ukraine U23:
- Volodymyr Salyuk (Suspended) – The defender received a straight red card against Morocco and will serve a one-match ban.
- Oleksandr Syrota (Doubtful) – The center-back is carrying a minor knock and faces a late fitness test.
Argentina U23:
- Lucas Beltran (Doubtful) – The Fiorentina forward was substituted early in the match against Iraq due to injury. His participation remains uncertain.
- Facundo Buonanotte (Injured) – The Brighton midfielder is ruled out of the tournament due to a long-term injury.
- Alejandro Garnacho (Not Released) – Manchester United did not release the talented winger for the Olympics.
These absences could significantly impact both teams’ strategies and formations for this pivotal match.
Key Players to Watch
Dmytro Kryskiv (Ukraine): The forward has already made his mark on the tournament with a goal against Morocco. His ability to find space in the box could prove crucial against a tough Argentine defense.
Thiago Almada (Argentina): The attacking midfielder has been in scintillating form, pulling the strings in Argentina’s midfield. His creativity and eye for goal make him a constant threat.
Head-to-Head and Form
This will be the first-ever meeting between Ukraine and Argentina at the Olympic Games. Both teams enter the match with identical records of one win and one loss in the tournament so far.
Ukraine’s recent form: L W
Argentina’s recent form: L W
Where to Watch
Fans in the United States can catch the action live on Telemundo, Peacock, and the NBC Sports App. For viewers in Ukraine, the match will be broadcast on Suspilne Sport.
Ukraine U23 vs Argentina U23 Live Stream and TV Schedule for other Countries:
- United Kingdom: discovery+, EuroSport Player UK, discovery+ App
- Canada: CBC Sports App, cbcsports.ca
- Australia: Stan Sport, 9Now
- Germany: Eurosport Player Deutschland
- France: Eurosport Player France, MAX
- Spain: Eurosport Player Spain
- Italy: Eurosport Player Italy
- Brazil: Canais Globo, SporTV
- Japan: TVer
Fans around the world should check their local listings, as coverage may vary by region. The match promises to be a must-watch for football enthusiasts globally, given the high stakes and the quality of talent on display.
Who Will Win?
Given the quality in Argentina’s squad and their impressive performance against Iraq, they enter as slight favorites. However, Ukraine have shown resilience and the ability to grind out results.
Ukraine U23 vs Argentina U23 Prediction: Ukraine U23 1-3 Argentina U23
Argentina’s attacking prowess should see them comfortably edge a closely contested match, but expect Ukraine to push them all the way in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Also Read:
