Will History Repeat Itself? Argentina To Face Israel In Last Pre-World Cup Friendly

The Argentina Football Association has arranged a friendly with Israel ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, according to reports.

The story from Ole Argentina says Argentina's last friendly before they travel to Russia for the World Cup will be against Israel in Tel Aviv on June 9, 17 days before a potential Group D decider against the Super Eagles.

In their last friendlies before the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, La Albiceleste beat Israel 7-2 and 2-1 respectively and they went on to reach the finals, winning the tournament in Mexico.

Meanwhile, manager Sampaoli is set to leave out Juventus star Paulo Dybala when he announces his roster for the upcoming friendlies against Spain and Italy due to his inactivity for the Serie A side.

A hamstring injury had kept the striker out of the Juventus squad and he only returned to action on February 18 when he played the last 24 minutes against Joel Obi's Torino.

Dybala started Argentina's 4-2 loss to Nigeria in an international friendly last November and was a substitute against Russia.

Nigeria meet Poland on March 23 before heading to the English capital, where they will take on Serbia at the Hive Stadium on March 27.

Igho Kingsley