Morocco vs. Argentina: 2019 Friendly Odds, Time, Live Stream and TV Schedule

Argentina travel to face Morocco in Tangier on Tuesday but will be without the services of captain Lionel Messi as they bid to hit back from the 3-1 defeat against Venezuela on Friday.

Messi played 90 minutes against Venezuela, but the Barcelona star has since withdrawn from manager Lionel Scaloni's squad due to injury.

Morocco are unbeaten in their last seven games and drew 0-0 against Malawi on Friday to secure first place in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group.

Argentina have won both of their previous meetings against Morocco (both friendlies)—in 1994 and 2004—but the north African side will hope to spring a shock at the Stade Ibn Batouta.

Date: Tuesday, March 26

Time: 7 p.m. GMT/3 p.m. ET

Venue: Stade Ibn Batouta, Tangier, Morocco

Live Stream: beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)

TV Info: beIN Sports 5 (U.S.)

Odds

Morocco: 12-5

Draw: 11-5

Argentina: 6-5

Via Oddschecker.

Preview

One might think Morocco would be buoyed by the absence of Messi, but Sport reported the Moroccan Football Federation had complained to Argentina over their missing man.

According to the article, the Atlas Lions were promised they would be facing La Albiceleste's best team, but Messi's return to Barcelona has ensured that won't be the case, per sportswriter Roy Nemer:

Scaloni recently spoke highly of the Barca star's ability, via Omnisport:

Juventus dynamo Paulo Dybala should be a front-runner to replace Messi in the lineup and could partner Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez up front.

Morocco's defensive strength has become something of a trademark since Herve Renard took over as manager in 2016. They dropped out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia at the group stage but impressed in limiting Portugal to just one goal in a 1-0 defeat and earning a point in a 2-2 draw with Spain.

They have kept clean sheets in five of their six matches since then—they drew 2-2 against Comoros in October—but Argentina's attacking options will be some distance above anything they faced in the AFCON qualifiers.

Scaloni has called together a squad with talents based in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and various parts of Europe, but the midfield and defence remain questionable areas for the coach:

The 3-1 defeat to Venezuela at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid was just the second time Argentina have fallen to that opponent in 25 meetings. The slump was especially disappointing after they notched back-to-back wins over Mexico in November.

Morocco will travel to Egypt for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in September, but Argentina have a more pressing need to get ready as the Copa America prepares to kick off in June.