Guzman New Argentina Keeper as Injured Romero Exits World Cup

Goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman, who plays for Mexican side Tigres, was named as his replacement.

Sergio Romero was ruled out of Argentina’s World Cup squad with a knee injury.

(Photo: Reuters)

Goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman was called into Argentina's World Cup squad on Tuesday, 22 May, as a replacement for Sergio Romero after the Manchester United player was cut from the team with a knee injury, the country's football federation (AFA) said.

Guzman, who plays for Mexican side Tigres, joins Chelsea's Willy Caballero and uncapped River Plate stopper Franco Armani in Argentina's 23-man squad for Russia.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli took just minutes to decide on Guzman after Romero's exclusion was announced on Tuesday.

Romero, who was widely expected to be Argentina’s first choice keeper, will need surgery on his right knee, the AFA said.

The loss of the experienced Romero is a serious blow to a country that has struggled defensively in recent friendlies, losing 4-2 to Nigeria and 6-1 to Spain.

Guzman, the 32-year old former Newell's Old Boys keeper, has won three league titles in three years with Tigres and been capped six times for the national side but just once since 2015, in last summer's 6-0 friendly win over Singapore.

He will form part of the squad for Argentina's farewell friendly against Haiti at Boca Juniors' ground on 29 May.

The twice world champions and runners-up four years ago in Brazil also play Israel on 9 June before heading to Russia where they have been drawn in Group D with Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria.