Ukraine and Argentina can both advance from Olympic men's soccer Group B on Tuesday with a victory at Groupama Stadium. However, only one of these two can advance at the expense of the other, with all four teams locked on three points from the opening two games. The Albiceleste can reach the knockout phase and are aiming to add to their two gold medals from 2004 and 2008.
Just one of six nations with multiple golds, it is surprising that Argentina have not made it past the group stage of an edition since that last gold. The Ukrainian dream of a first-ever Olympic knockout round remains alive, though, after Saturday's 2-1 win over Morocco in Saint-Etienne. That after a 2-1 loss to Iraq in the first-ever Olympic outing for Ukraine which could now become historic if Ruslan Rotan can lead his players past Argentina on Tuesday.
The Moroccans' unexpected opening win over the South Americans should encourage the Ukrainians although Javier Mascherano's side have recovered since with a win over the Iraqis. The Argentines will be targeting an improvement on their 2021 showing in Tokyo where they exited at the group stage with four points from three games which saw them finish behind Group C runners-up Egypt on goal difference.
Here's our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
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How to watch and odds
- Date: Tuesday, July 30 | Time: 11 a.m. ET
- Location: Groupama Stadium - Lyon, France
- Watch: Peacock Premium, Telemundo or Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: Ukraine +375; Draw +290; Argentina -175
Group B
With all four teams on three points each, the scenarios are fairly straightforward with a win for two of these sides booking their place in the quarterfinals. Draws mean that Argentina have a slight advantage having scored at least one goal more than the other three with Iraq possibly the big losers having conceded one goal more than anyone else. Javier Mascherano's side league Group B before kick-off with Ukraine second and Morocco third with the Iraqis fourth. Two goal-rich results could change that -- even if both finish level.
Team news
Ukraine: Volodymyr Salyuk is suspended so Maksym Talovierov should come in alongside Illya Krupskyi, Arseniy Batagov and Oleksandr Martinyuk. Otherwise, Ruslan Rotan's XI should be more or less unchanged with Dmytro Kryskiv and Valentyn Rubchynskyi looking to add to their goals already scored.
Possible Ukraine XI: Fesyun; Krupskyi, Talovierov, Batagov, Martinyuk; Khlan, Rubchynskyi, Mykhailenko, Bragaru; Kryskiv, Sikan.
Argentina: Lucas Beltran is injured and now a major doubt so Giuliano Simeone should replace him in the XI alongside Julian Alvarez. Nicolas Otamendi has started both games so far and should partner Marco Di Cesare at the back. Ezequiel Fernandez, Thiago Almada, Cristian Medina and Santiago Hezze should all continue in midfield.
Possible Argentina XI: Rulli; Garcia, Di Cesare, Otamendi, Soler; Fernandez, Medina, Hezze, Almada; Simeone, Alvarez.
Prediction
Argentina need to win as much as Ukraine do so this one should be tight. However, based on individual quality, Mascherano's Albiceleste have an advantage over Rotan's side. Pick: Ukraine 1, Argentina 2.
