Alejandro Garnacho further enhanced his chances of securing a spot in Argentina’s Copa America squad with another impressive performance against Costa Rica. It was his first opportunity to represent his country from the start, a moment in which he and his family can take great pride.

Playing for 71 minutes, Garnacho contributed to his team’s comeback from a 0-1 deficit to a 3-1 victory. As the reigning World Champions, Argentina dominated possession with 75% and unleashed 23 shots compared to Costa Rica’s seven.

Similar to his transformation from an impact substitute to a regular starter at his club, Garnacho hopes that his performances during this international break will catch the attention of manager Lionel Scaloni. Starting on his preferred left wing, the 19-year-old received a commendable rating of 7.3 from Sofascore.

Garnacho constantly threatened Keylor Navas’ goal, forcing the experienced goalkeeper to make two saves. Utilizing his explosive speed and close ball control, he successfully completed two out of four dribble attempts, taking on opponents confidently. He showcased composure on the ball, registering 57 touches and completing 33 out of 38 passes, resulting in an impressive passing accuracy of 87%. Additionally, he made two key passes during the match and successfully completed three long balls.

Furthermore, Garnacho has added a defensive work rate to his game this season, winning six out of 12 ground duels against a team that had limited possession.

With two more South American caps under his belt, Garnacho believes he has performed well enough to earn a place in the Copa America squad. As a winger who has already scored seven goals this season, he aims to reach double figures for the first time in his career. A strong finish with Manchester United will be crucial in achieving this goal.