Copa America 2021: Argentina vs. Uruguay Kickoff Time, How to Watch on TV and Online
Two South American soccer heavyweights collide on Friday night when Argentina takes on Uruguay in its second Group A game of the 2021 Copa America.
The nations have won a combined 29 Copa Americas between them and are by some distance the two most successful teams in the competition, although they are now mired in decade-long droughts. The last of Uruguay's all-time record 15 triumphs came 10 years ago, while Argentina's drought stretches even further back, to 1993.
The Albiceleste's quest for a first major trophy in 28 years got off to a wobbly start on Monday, following a 1-1 draw with Chile.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a superb free kick, before Eduardo Vargas equalized for Chile, converting from close range after Arturo Vidal had seen his penalty kick rebound against the crossbar.
Argentina's opener was Messi 73rd international goal and 39th in competitive games for his country, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta's previous record.
The Barcelona star became only the second Argentinian in history after Americo Tesoriere to feature in six Copa Americas for his country. Significantly, however, Tesoriere pulled off the feat between 1920 and 1925, when the tournament was contested annually.
Messi, on the other hand, made his first Copa America appearance in 2007. While the 33-year-old continues to break individual records at a rate of knots, there is a feeling he may be running out of time to restore the Albiceleste to the throne of South American soccer.
Paraguay tops Group A after the first round of games as it scored three goals in 18 minutes to come from behind to defeat Bolivia 3-1. With five teams in both groups and four each going through to the knockout stage, teams have more room for error than in the past.
Crucial to Start With a Victory
Messi, however, admitted the two-time world champions have to do better.
"We wanted to start with a win. It was important to start with a win against a difficult rival," he told ESPN after the game.
"Now we have Uruguay, another complicated game. That is why we needed to have started with a victory."
Uruguay, meanwhile, makes its tournament debut on Friday—the format of five teams per group means not every team plays on the same day as its group rivals.
La Celeste hasn't beaten Argentina in a competitive game since October 2013, and it lost three of the four last Copa America meetings between the two.
Here's all you need to know ahead of the game.
When is Argentina vs. Uruguay?
Argentina takes on Uruguay at the Estádio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia on Friday, June 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
How to watch Argentina vs. Uruguay on TV
The game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 2, while UniVision and TUDN will carry the game with Spanish commentary.
How to watch Argentina vs. Uruguay online
A live stream of the game will be available via FOX Sports, UniVision and TUDN's digital platforms as well as via streaming services fuboTV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV and Vidgo.
Argentina vs. Uruguay odds
Argentina is an 11-10 favorite with DraftKings and William Hill, while Uruguay is a 3-1 outsider and the draw is at 11-5.
The odds on both teams to score are at 4-6, while Lionel Messi is a 10-3 favorite to be the first goalscorer.
