Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho made his tournament debut for Argentina at the Copa America.
Argentina have had a perfect start to the Copa America, with three wins out of three. Winning their first two games meant manager Lionel Scaloni could rotate his team for their final group match with Peru.
This opened up a chance for Alejandro Garnacho to start, playing his first minutes of the tournament. For context it was just his sixth cap, and second start.
Garnacho played 66 minutes of the 2-0 win, lining up in a three-man attack with Angel di Maria and Lautaro Martinez, who netted twice.
High expectations on Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho was playing his first game since the FA Cup Final, as he was an unused substitute in Argentina’s warm-up friendlies.
Garnacho has been valued as the most valuable Argentine teenager since Lionel Messi.
This means there are high hopes for Garnacho, which in turn meant his goalless performance failed to win everybody over, with Argentine media outlet TN reporting: “Alejandro Garnacho had a weak performance and was indebted to the great expectations placed on him.”
On the contrary, there was positivity expressed towards Garnacho on social media.
Argentine influencer Lautaro Del Campo, who has created videos with Sergio Aguero, and has almost half a million followers, wrote to Garnacho on Instagram.
He pointed to his decision to swap Spain for Argentina, commenting: “You made the best decision of your career Garna. You will break it all.”
Boca Juniors fan account Bocasuymundo added: “I really liked your debut in Copa America shame some didn’t even pass the ball to you, there are many who have the ego in the clouds. We have to take care of Garnacho who has a tremendous future.”
Ossie Ardiles on Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho has also won the applause of 1978 World Cup winner and former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ossie Ardiles.
Ardiles told TNT Sports Argentina: “He is an excellent player, what he does in the game is very good.
“He’s a different player, it’s a pleasure to watch him.”
Garnacho will be back on the bench for Argentina’s knockout rounds, but he might have shown enough to warrant a look-in as a substitute as the season goes on.
This is all good experience for the 19-year-old, who could have a more prominent role by time the 2026 World Cup comes along.
