Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Argentina team news: Where is Gonzalo Higuain? Who plays alongside Lionel Messi?
GONZALO HIGUIAN is NOT in the starting lineup for Argentina vs France today.
Gonzalo Higuain was tipped to start for Argentina today in their crunch World Cup last-16 tie.
Argentina have endured a miserable tournament so far and scraped into the knockout stage.
Higuain has not been included in the XI for the 3pm kick off in Kazan.
That’s because Jorge Sampaoli has overhauled the Argentina attack.
Sergio Aguero is also out of the side, while Paulo Dybala misses out.
It means Lionel Messi will start up front on his own.
Why has Higuain been dropped?
Controversy in the Argentina camp has reigned all tournament.
They laboured to a 1-1 draw with Iceland in their first match of the group stage, with Aguero scoring the opener.
But the shock 3-0 defeat to Croatia rumbled Sampaoli and raised tensions ahead of their final group game vs Nigeria.
Argentina were on the verge of an exit before Marcos Rojo scored with four minutes remaining to secure a 2-1 win.
Throughout the group stage Higuain’s presence has barely been felt.
Sampaoli champions the ball being directed to Messi, which is one of the reasons why Mauro Icardi was not selected for the World Cup squad this tournament.
A lack of service to Higuain - plus the Juventus striker’s failures in front of goal when he does get the ball - have pushed Sampaoli to seek a change in system.
Angel Di Maria will be Messi’s main servant today as Argentina hope to pass France off the park.