Argentina's preparation for the upcoming South American World Cup Qualifiers has taken a blow as Lautaro Martínez, forward for Inter Milan, has been ruled out due to a muscle injury in his left hamstring. The forward, who had been dealing with discomfort in recent club matches, will miss the upcoming games against Uruguay and Brazil.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed that tests revealed a mild muscle tear in Martínez's hamstring. "Forward Lautaro Martínez will be unavailable for this March international break due to a muscle injury in his left hamstring," the AFA posted on social media.

Adjustments to Argentina’s Attack

This setback adds to the already confirmed absences of Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, and other key players. Although Martínez had scored against Atalanta in Serie A, his presence with the national team was questioned after he trained differently following a session at the Ezeiza training camp. Ultimately, his return to Italy for recovery became unavoidable.

To cover Martínez's absence, Lionel Scaloni has several attacking options. Julián Álvarez is expected to start as the center-forward, with players like Nicolás González or Thiago Almada potentially filling supporting roles in attack. It is also possible that Scaloni might tweak his tactical setup, opting for a more crowded midfield or even an attacking trio.

Key Matches for Qualification

Argentina will face Uruguay on March 21 at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo and Brazil on March 25 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. These matches are crucial for the World Cup hopes of the reigning champions, who currently lead the qualifying standings with 25 points, followed by Uruguay with 20.

Though Argentina remains at the top, the race is tight, with Ecuador and Colombia both sitting on 19 points, Brazil with 18, and Paraguay at 17, while Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru occupy the lower spots in the table. With several important absences, Scaloni’s coaching staff will need to make adjustments to both the lineup and formation to maintain Argentina’s strong position in the qualifiers.