By Louis Smith.
This week marks the final set of international fixtures in 2019. For the South Americans, it is the last get together before the all-important world cup qualifiers take place in March.
Meanwhile, Bolivia and Chile will be not be playing due to off-field issues.
After this set of matches, the draw for the 2020 Copa America will take place as well as the scheduling for World Cup qualification — this will take place on December 3rd.
Argentina
The most obvious inclusion for the Argentines is Lionel Messi who returns for the first time since his outburst following their defeat in the Copa America semi-final.
Messi and Argentina will be keen on seeking revenge as they will take on the side who knocked them out, Brazil. The 2019 Superclásico de las Américas will be played in Saudi Arabia.
Argentina will also travel to Tel Aviv to play fellow South American side Uruguay it what promises to be another exciting encounter.
As well as Messi, Giovani Lo Celso is back in the squad after fully recovering from an injury he picked up in September.
Potential debutants are Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez who recently played in a 5-5 classic for Arsenal against Liverpool in the League Cup and Nehuén Pérez who is a 19-Year-old defender currently playing Portugal.
Argentina Fixtures
Brazil vs Argentina | Kick-off – 17:00 PM (GMT) 15/11/2019
Ecuador vs Argentina | Kick-off – 19:15 PM (GMT) 18/11/2019
Argentina Squad
Goalkeepers: Agustín Marchesín, Juan Musso, Esteban Andrada, Emiliano Martínez
Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolás Tagliafico, Renzo Saravia, Germán Pezzella, Walter Kannemann, Marcos Rojo, Nicolás Otamendi Nehuén Pérez,
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Roberto Pereyra, Marcos Acuña, Lucas Ocampos, Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolás Domínguez, Guido Rodríguez, Giovani Lo Celso
Forwards: Sergio Agüero, Lionel Messi, Lucas Alario, Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás González
Bolivia
Bolivia was due to play Panama but has since been cancelled following all airports in the country closing meaning it would be impossible for Bolivia to play an international fixture.
Domestic football has also been postponed throughout Bolivia, this comes after the Bolivian president resigned on Sunday.
Brazil
Brazil lock horns with Argentina and South Korea in Asia. They will be aiming to end a run of four matches without a win, something which the Brazilian fans will be expecting as pressure grows on manager, Tite.
Copa America golden glove winner, Alisson, returns to the squad and his rival for the No 1 shirt, Ederson, is absent through injury.
Along with Ederson, Neymar is still yet to recover from the knock he picked up last month.
Gabriel Barbosa has been given time off to stay with Flamengo and prepare for the Copa Libertadores final.
Athletico Paranaense goalkeeper Santos is the only domestic-based player to be called up to the side and could be in contention for his first cap. However, it is unlikely Santos will feature.
The Brazilian league will still take place this week despite the international break.
The impressive performances of Aston Villa pair Wesley and Douglas Luiz have earned both a first call up to the Seleção.
The other new faces in the squad are Emerson of Real Betis, Real Madrid’s rising star Rodrygo, and Roma goalkeeper Daniel Fuzat, who will be gunning to follow in Alisson’s footsteps.
On earning a first Brazil call up, Rodrygo said: “I feel fulfilled right now. The dream of everybody is to one day wear the national team shirt.”
Brazil Fixtures
Brazil vs Argentina | Kick-off – 17:00 PM (GMT) 15/11/2019
Brazil vs South Korea | Kick-off – 13:30 PM (GMT) 19/11/2019
Brazil Squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Daniel Fuzato, Santos
Defenders: Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Éder Militão, Renan Lodi, Felipe, Emerson
Midfielders: Willian, Philippe Coutinho, Casemiro, Arthur, Fabinho, Lucas Paquetá, Douglas Luiz,
Forwards: Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison, Rodrygo, Wesley
Chile
Chile was due to play Peru in Lima during this break but the fixture has recently been cancelled.
A statement from the Chilean press regarding the cancellation said:
“The players summoned to represent Chile have decided not to play the international friendly match against Peru, scheduled for next Tuesday, November 19, in Lima.
“The decision was adopted by the staff after a meeting held this morning at the Juan Pinto Durán Complex.
“The national coach, Reinaldo Rueda, immediately released all the players, who from now on are available to their respective clubs. The Chilean Football Federation has already communicated the situation to its Peruvian counterpart.”
Following ongoing protests throughout Chile, there hasn’t been any football played in the country since October 18th.
The aim was for the Chilean league to resume this week but this is now looking unlikely after a second division match was postponed on Wednesday.
Santiago was recently stripped of hosting the Libertadores cup final between Flamengo and River Plate. The showpiece event will now be played in Peru instead.
Colombia
Colombia will travel to the USA to play Peru and Ecuador.
Returning to the squad for the first time since the Copa America is poster boy James Rodriguez which will please the Colombian fans.
Genk’s Jhon Lucumi keeps his place in the side following impressive performances against Liverpool in the Champions League. Despite losing both games against the English club, Lucumi impressed and wasn’t fazed by Liverpool’s deadly attack.
Alfredo Morelos has earned a second call up in a row as he looks to continue his outstanding start to the season. The Rangers striker will be on the hunt for his first goal for Colombia.
Brighton’s Steven Alzate who was born in England is one of four players who could potentially make a senior debut. Also in with a shout are; Steven Mendoza, Edér Chaux and Aldair Quintana.
The Colombians have not won in five games, last time out suffered a shocking battering by African champions Algeria.
Colombia Fixtures
Colombia vs Peru | Kick-off – 01:30 AM (GMT) 16/11/2019
Ecuador vs Colombia | Kick-off – 01:00 AM (GMT) 18/11/2019
Colombia Squad
Goalkeepers: David Ospina, Edér Chaux. Aldair Quintana
Defenders: Santiago Arias, Jeison Murillo, Davinson Sánchez, Yerry Mina, Frank Fabra, Stefan Medina, William Tesillo, Jhon Lucumí
Midfielders: Juan Cuadrado, James Rodríguez, Wílmar Barrios, Mateus Uribe, Jefferson Lerma, Yairo Moreno, Steven Alzate
Forwards: Luis Muriel, Roger Martínez, Luis Díaz, Alfredo Morelos, Stiven Mendoza
Ecuador
Last time out it was a huge reality check for the young Ecuadorians as they suffered a 6-1 battering by Argentina.
The Ecuadorians will play one game in Portoveijo and then travel to the USA to take on Colombia.
Ecuador has called up 27 players, 17 who are based in the domestic league and ten from abroad.
They have called up eight uncapped players; Pedro Perlaza, Brian Heras, Bryan Carabalí, Alejandro Cabeza, Franklin Guerra, Moisés Corozo, Leonel Quiñónez, and Gustavo Cortez as they continue to look towards the youth prospects in the country something that bodes well for the future.
Cabeza and Alan Franco are the players called up from newly-crowned Copa Sudamericana champions Independiente del Valle, who recently beat Colon of Argentina in Asuncion.
Ecuador Fixtures
Brazil vs Trinidad and Tobago | Kick-off – 00:00 AM (GMT) 15/11/2019
Ecuador vs Colombia | Kick-off – 01:00 AM (GMT) 20/11/2019
Ecuador Squad
Goalkeepers: Pedro Ortíz, Johan Padilla, Brian Hera
Defenders: Xavier Arreaga, Diego Palacios, Marcos Andrés López, Félix Torres, Bryan Carabalí, Moisés Corozo, Gustavo Cortez, Franklin Guerra, Leonel Quiñónez
Midfielders: Renato Ibarra, Fidel Martínez, Jefferson Orejuela, Ángel Mena, Romario Ibarra, Jhegson Méndez, Marcos Caicedo, Gonzalo Plata, José Cifuentes, Alan Franco, Jordan Sierra, Pedro Perlaza
Forwards: Enner Valencia, Michael Estrada, Alejandro Cabeza
Paraguay
Paraguay like last time out will play in Europe as they take on Bulgaria. In their other matchup, they take on Saudi Arabia in Riyadh – giving themselves plenty of travelling to do!
Albirroja will be without MLS star Alejandro Romero Gamarra known as “Kaku” who picked up an injury, he is likely to be a blow for Paraguay as last time out he had such a positive impact during the matches.
The young midfield pairing of Jorge Morel and Mathías Villasanti is set to be reunited as both players impressed Eduardo Berizzo to earn a second successive call-up.
Richard Sanchez returns along with Santiago Arzamendia who has recovered from injury.
Andrés Cubas has earned a place in the national team for the first time and is the only uncapped player in the squad. The midfielder is the fourth Argentine-born player in which Berizzo has called up since taking charge.
Paraguay Fixtures
Bulgaria vs Paraguay | Kick-off – 17:00 PM (GMT) 14/11/2019
Saudi Arabia vs Paraguay| Kick-off – 16:30 PM (GMT) 19/11/2019
Paraguay Squad
Goalkeepers: Antony Silva, Gatito FernándeZ, Alfredo Aguilar
Defenders: Gustavo Gómez, Iván Piris, Júnior Alonso, Bruno Valdez, Jorge Moreira, Fabián Balbuena, Santiago Arzamendia, Blás Riveros
Midfielders: Richard Sánchez, Cristhian Paredes, Matías Rojas, Ramón Martínez, Jorge Morel, Mathías Villasanti,Andrés Cubas
Forwards: Óscar Romero, Derlis González, Miguel Almirón, Ángel Romero, Darío Lezcano, Lorenzo Melgarejo, Braian Samudio
Peru
The Peruvians will play only one game this international break as it stands. They were due to play Chile but this has now been postponed as we previously mentioned above.
Peru is now rumoured to potentially be playing Panama who was due to play Bolivia, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
The other fixtures see them go head to head with Colombia in Miami.
Patricio Álvarez who was called up last time out but didn’t feature is the only uncapped player in the squad for Alvarez he will be hoping he can earn his first cap this time around.
Marcos López who plays for San Jose in the MLS is the youngest player in the squad aged 19.
Aldo Corzo and Alexis Arias are the only outfield players called up from the Peruvian league.
Peru Fixtures
Colombia vs Peru | Kick-off – 01:30 AM (GMT) 16/11/2019
Peru Squad
Goalkeepers: Patricio Álvarez, Carlos Cáceda, Pedro Gallese
Defenders: Marcos López, Alexander Callens, Carlos Zambrano, Luis Advíncula, Aldo Corzo, Anderson Santamaría, Miguel Trauco, Luis Abram,
Midfielders: Carlos Ascues, Alexis Arias, Renato Tapia, Sergio Peña, Pedro Aquino, Yoshimar Yotún, Cristian Benavente
Forwards: Raúl Ruidíaz, Andy Polo, Edison Flores, Gabriel Costa, Paolo Guerrero
Uruguay
Uruguay will take on former European giants Hungary as well as Israel as they aim to end 2019 without losing any fixtures — during normal time that is. The only loss they were on the end of was a penalty shootout in the Copa America to Peru.
Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani return to the squad after recovering from injury and will make their first appearances for the Sky Blues since the summer.
Every player called up to the squad has already featured and they’re are the only South America side to do so this time around.
Like last time out only two domestic players have been called up from the squad; Matías Viña and Giovanni González from Nacional and Peñarol.
Brian Rodríguez who has played the last four matches is once again called up and is the youngest player out of the 23 man squad.
Uruguay Fixtures
Hungary vs Uruguay | Kick-off – 18:00 PM (GMT) 15/11/2019
Argentina vs Uruguay | Kick-off – 19:15 PM (GMT) 18/11/2019
Uruguay Squad
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera, Martín Campaña
Defenders: Bruno Méndez, Matías Viña, Mathías Suárez, Giovanni González, Gastón Silva, Diego Laxalt, Sebastián Coates, Martín Cáceres, Diego Godín
Midfielders: Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Torreira, Gastón Pereiro, Brian Lozano, Matías Vecino
Forwards: Brian Rodríguez, Maxi Gómez, Edinson Cavani, Luis Suárez, Cristhian Stuani
Venezuela
Venezuela faces a tough trip to Suita to take on Japan as they try and replicate the good form they have been in since the Copa America.
La Vinotinto is unbeaten in their last three matches. – This is the only game they are due to play in November.
Josef Martínez has once again not been selected following a disagreement with the coaching staff at Venezuela and for the time being, it looks unlikely that he will be part of the world cup qualifying squad come March.
Gabriel Benítez who made his debut last time out is the only domestic-based player called up.
Venezuela has called up one uncapped player in Williams Velásquez who is currently playing in Japan on loan from Premier League Club Watford.
Venezuela Fixtures
Japan vs Venezuela | Kick-off – 10:25 AM (GMT) 19/11/2019
Venezuela Squad:
Goalkeepers: Wuilker Faríñez, Rafael Romo
Defenders:Roberto Rosales, Mikel Villanueva, Wilker Ángel, Rolf Feltscher, Ronald Hernández, Yordan Osorio, Nahuel Ferraresi,Gabriel Benítez, Williams Velásquez
Midfielders: Tomás Rincón, Rómulo Otero, Jhon Murillo, Juan Pablo Añor, Yangel Herrera, Yeferson Soteldo, Jefferson Savarino, Renzo Zambrano,Bernaldo Manzano
Forwards: Salomón Rondón, Darwin Machís, Fernando Aristeguieta, Andrés Ponce