Argentina’s biggest injury concern ahead of the knockout stage is still Cristian Romero. The defender is continuing his recovery after suffering a knock to his right knee during the win over Austria and remains a doubt for Friday’s Round of 16 match against Cape Verde at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
At the moment, Romero’s chances of playing are still uncertain. His situation will be evaluated day by day, and it will be important to see if he can train with the rest of the squad on Monday and Tuesday.
The concern came because the pain appeared in the same knee where the Tottenham defender had previously suffered a ligament injury earlier this season. That immediately worried Argentina’s coaching staff and supporters.
However, the news has become much more positive over the last few days.
Romero did not play in Argentina’s final group-stage match against Jordan as a precaution. The coaching staff decided not to take any risks and wanted to give him extra time to recover before the knockout rounds.
During the Austria game, Romero was seen on the bench with ice on his knee, which caused concern among fans. But after further checks, Argentina believes the injury is not serious.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni also gave a positive update.
“Cuti is doing well. He has not trained with the group yet, but he is working separately and doing intense exercises. Right now, it looks less serious than we first thought, and that gives us peace of mind,” Scaloni said.
Inside Argentina’s camp, there is optimism that Romero will be ready for Friday’s match. Still, the coaching staff will continue to monitor him during the remaining training sessions before making a final decision.
If Romero is not fully fit, Scaloni will not take any chances. In that case, veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi is expected to return to the starting lineup.
Hope the players are well prepared for this Cape Verde team or else it will end up being the upset of tournament. I am very nervous Argentina facing this team.
One of their key strength of this African team is defensive resilience and tactical discipline. Messi’s brilliance has covered some of the team’s deficiency especially forwards. The lack sharpness from Alvarez and Lautaro should be worrying and hope will improve massively. Round of 32 will be a massive test. I don’t want to see a repeat of 1994 elimination by Romania. I would be less nervous if this team to was face stronger opponents like Mexico, Sweden, Morocco, Colombia, Portugal, England I would be less nervous. I will be the happiest person if these players prove me wrong and easily beat Cape Verde .
Hii all Mundo members…this is Roshan dhakal from Nepal… die hard la albiceleste fan since 1990..
I was 8 yr old kid when I started to watch 1990 wc with my uncle who was a great admirer and supporter of Argentina football… my love for this la albiceleste shirt is immense and it’s since childhood..
Regarding 1994 the case scenario was different.. coincidentally it was in USA but that time Romania was also a competent team.. imagine Romania in 1990 vs Argentina in group stage they drew 1-1 even with maradona was playing..
That time in 1994 maradona was banned 🚫 then our whole system paralyzed…
Even cannigia was injured vs Bulgaria…
Even then we fought hard and Lost 3-2…
I watched 1994 knockout vs Romania match and was very pissed too. I was 13 by then and was expecting team to reach quarters even without maradona. But later on I came to understand maradona ban affected the team.
We’re all feel this discomfort specially after Cape Verde display against Spain, but Argentina is certainly not Spain. I believe we have a better number nine in Martinez than Ferran Tores. We have our doubts about Martinez, but he has not played that bad and he is a player who often needs space to make a difference. At times, he can be lethal and for those who of us who watch the Italian league we’ve seen his quality in front of goal; so be patient. We are cautious because we’ve never seen this team against a park the bus team. Who knows if Cape Verde will take the same defensive approach against Argentina.
I think that England will have a hard time against Equador in the last 16 because the match will be played in Mexico at high altitude…I thank Germany for loosing agaist Equador..
England will bottle today or tomorrow. Their team is somehow cursed.
Lol equador is out
Assumptions and observations
1) Cabo Verde will defend deep (‘park the bus’)
2) Alvarez and Lautaro have not scored from open play. The first is out of form and the latter has often failed to find the net against big teams in the CL and WC
3) We have no wingers that can dribble past defenders and pose a threat
4) Passes to our attackers are blocked in most cases
5) Playing in a low gear will not break defences that keep 9 players behind the ball
Conclusion
Creativity will be needed to find openings in a tight defence around a crowded box
Suggestion
Let’s surprise our opponents and field our 2 most creative players together, both as false nines. Messi and Paz together upfront. Messi is scoring goals continuously and Paz has scored 13 goals in Serie A, more than double Alvarez in La Liga. Both are creative, can create spaces for others, dribble past players and score goals!
Line-up
Dibu
Molina Romero Licha Medina/Tagliafico
DePaul MacAllister Enzo Barco
Messi Paz
We need to play nico gonzalez and maybe simeone for width.paz is nothing special yet and world cup knockouts r not the place for experimentation.drop mcallister and I don’t like almada much
According to reports in the media AFA and Scaloni have reached a verbal agreement to extend his contract until 2031!
Good to note that he already saw new talents like Tomas Aranda at work. And with upcoming starlet Bruno Cabral he might continue the success.
What abt Thomás de Martis, auguestin roberto can they play for argentina
Brazil was so lucky yesterday that japan played ultra defensive in the 2nd half. Japan’s passing was so poor in the final third as well. I dont think brazil will win vs Norway or against overrated England.
Lets hope that Spain and France will also blunder like the German and the dutch lol.
Brazil however has the advantage of playing almost each of their potential knockout matches with 1 or 2 more days of rest than their opponents. That is how the schedule is. Conspiracy by FIFA?
Bro doesnt matter at all. Personally I think Brazil is a weaker team than England, so if get them in the semi’s , it wouldnt be bad tho
We know that Paredes created a record for number of passes against Jordan. But I saw some comments that he was not quick enough etc. Also for the Jordan goal I was thinking why did he not try to do a sliding block to stop the goal. I think there are two things to consider- A- He was just getting back into rythm after the injury and B) He was on a yellow card from the Austria match and another Yellow card from the last match would have eliminated him from the R32 match. Hence may be he was not being very aggressive. He was avoiding any risky challenges. Makes sense as the match was more of a practice and now the yellow cards are getting wiped off from the group stages. So he can play more freely.
Are you sure he played against Austria? I don’t have any recollection that Paredes played against Austria, but you might be right.
Yup came in at around 80th minute and saw a yellow card
Messi’s second goal against austria came from paredes pass ho and watch that goal
Player selection is one thing but putting unfit players on the pitch is unforgivable. If Romero isn’t fit, not the end of the world. Play At this stage plan for 120 minutes.
Against Cape Verde, an early goal is a must. Encourage players to take shots on goal instead of looking to pass only to Messi.
I hope Scaloni watched Paraguay against, the underdogs gain momentum as each minute passes without a goal. Cape Verde are more tactically disciplined, physical and fast.
A tough game ahead.
I think Romero would be back before the match, there’s plenty of time. Even then I wouldnt start him as there is a chance that the match might go to 120 mins.
I would still start with the usual 4-3-3 with Montiel, Ota, Licha,Tag- Mac, Enzo, RDP- Almada/Lo celso, Julian and Messi.
The defence is solid and we will have more possession with technical players.
If we dont get a goal in the first half then switch to 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 with Molina, Cuti, Ota, Licha, Nico Gonzales- Mac, Enzo, RDP- Messi and Lautaro. So basically add Cuti, Nico, Molina, Lautaro and move out Montiel, Tag, Almada and Alvarez. We would have more aerial threat and also there will be some width.
Guys I am new on Mundo Albiceleste when it comes to writing comments, but for many years I have always come here to read comments and the daily news during the world cup. I really love the community, the various opinions; and comments by amazing and knowledgeable fans. We are all cheering for Argentina to lift the trophy once again, but it is always nail biting for me after the groups stage are over. Any team can be eliminated any time during the knock out phase. After what I have witnessed with Germany and Netherlands, I hope Argentina players and the coaching staff don’t take Cape Verde lightly. I still believe the team is mentally strong, technically good, and capable of controlling their emotions; so far, Argentina manage to score first in every game since 2022 and I don’t want the team to chase any team. We need to score first in every game and control the game with and without the ball. I am still afraid to watch Dibu save against Kuolo Muani with the rash mistake by Otamendi; he can be strong for 90 minutes in one second he shit his pants. I hope Otamendi gets his mental strength together for the upcoming game and delivers. He deserves all the criticism, but remember he gave his life in the Copa America 2021 final. I hope Argentina fight tooth and nail to crush Cape Verde early in the game and control it from there. Every team that goes on to win the WC face a tough match along the way to the final. France 98 vs Paraguay, Argentina 86 vs Uruguay, Argentina 22 vs Netherlands, and so forth. So we have to wait and see what Argentina delivers Friday night or Saturday morning wherever you are
I forgot to mention the European pundits on ESPN FC. They’re all in AWE of Paraguay; what a knock out punch to these two Europeans powerhouse. Every single one of them brushed Paraguay aside and now it’s all about what Germany and Netherlands did wrong and no credit to Paraguay.
Yes, those European Pundits always look down on other continents. They think (or pretend) that apart from Brazil and Argentina no team outside Europe can compete with the top 10 European nations, but all evidences point to otherwise.
Paraguay is a weak team it’s 100% germany ‘s problem that they underestimated paraguay and didn’t come fully prepared.and Netherlands and Morocco match was always 50-50 Morocco has become an elite side right now that’s not an upset actually
Forget about the brilliant game from Brazil in the first 20 mins and the last 10 mins of the second half, we should focus on our own game. With Cuti doubtful, this is time for Lisandro Martinez to captain the ship of the defence. We would need tall Senesi too. With two short central defenders, suddenly Cape Verde might take the aerial route like what Brazil did so effectively against Japan.
No match in the knock-out stages is easy. Japan was rusty in their passing in the final third. Otherwise things could have been tougher for Brazil. Morocco, anyway, is a top tier team. So Netherlands losing was no big surprise. Paraguay surprised the world through a better display than Japan. They did not do as deep a defence as Japan did in the second half inviting more pressure every passing minute.
From now on, we have to treat every match as final. We did that last time. The question is does our team have the same mental calm, eagerness and spirit to repeat it. Messi started on a very calm note as if he was playing in MLS. Hence, the performance against Algeria. From Austria onwards he is now more involved with the objective, which has started getting on his nerves like others. His penalty miss against Austria was not a coincidence. His fumble inside the box during his second goal against Austria was also a result of that. How he missed an open net in Copa final against Brazil is still fresh in my mind. But still he is our best bait like forever. We need fresh minds like Lo Celso and Nico Paz to support Messi against Cape Verde.
BTW I thought my mind would be calm between matches. I got it wrong.
Am a little disappointed with the Brazil win, although it was kind of expected. Japan choked again in the knockout stage. Brazil dominated them in the 2nd half; but to be fair, Japan kind of allowed them to dominate by being too defensive.
The other 2 games, I was kind of OK with results going either way. I was supporting Paraguay because they are a South American team, and because of our heated rivalry with Germany. However, even if Germany had won, I would have thought it was a chance to get revenge for the last 4 defeats in WC against them. Morocco vs Netherlands, I honestly didn’t care. Ultimately, at some stage, I would want both these teams to lose.
Among European teams, I don’t mind Croatia going far. Modric deserves it way more than CRonaldo.
Just asking – among Brazil and England, who will the people here prefer to play in the semis? Of course, the best scenario will be if they both get eliminated before semis.
However, before all that, we must also not take teams like Cabo Verde lightly.
I would want England somehow but am a little wary about Tomas Tuchel. But again lets not get ahead of ourselves, anything can happen in a knockout
I would prefer Brazil. Their mid, full backs are below avg except bruno and casemiro. On the other hand, England has some good midfielders and wingers although they r overrated.
Looking at these 32 round matches, it’s always better to finish off the Match in 90 minutes or at least in extra time, no matter how much confidence we have in Emiliano Martinez still penalty shootouts are a 50-50 game. Our destiny till the semis is in our own hands.
It’s like Literally the path for France till semifinals are clear now, Germany & Netherlands gave them the Semi spot in silver platter, I guess. Spain or Portugal looms for them at the Semis, here over this side it looks like Brazil England is going to happen.
With Germany and Netherlands out, every remaining giant (including Argentina) feels massive pressure. Cabo Verde has zero expectations- they’ll play loose, physical, and defend in a low block for 90+ minutes. That’s exactly how underdogs stun favorites in knockout football.
· Historical warning: Think Saudi Arabia 2022. Argentina learned this the hard way. Cabo Verde has rapid wingers and nothing to lose-they’ll treat this like their World Cup final.
· The trap: Argentina’s players might subconsciously look past them to a semifinal. One sleepy first half, one set-piece goal, and suddenly you’re chasing a game against 10 men behind the ball.
Bottom line: This is Argentina’s toughest mental test…not the talent gap. If they treat Cabo Verde like Germany-lite, they cruise. If they treat them like a “minnow,” they’re packing suitcases.
Looking like a wonderful World Cup from Argentina’s perspective … all big rivals are going out. Duthcy – ouchy; German – go man ……. Japan should nhave done better to send Brazil home ….. it would have been icing on the cake.
But yes, we can’t be complacent – Cape Verde made Spain’s life difficult.
So much for the German scientist who predicted the winner of the last 3 WCs, same guy who picked Dutchy this WC 🤷
Ya! During the penalties ,even i thought in those lines.Where would the scientist hide his face ,should the netherlands lose in penalties which they did.
Watching brazil come back was horrible 😁 really wanted the show of to go away… Just find out that marqinous already have 30 trophies.. Anyway mesii will be the first to 50trophies
2 top guns out of the world cup.Brazil missed the knock out punch by thin margins. Argentina has to be cautious,but just play their natural attacking flair game.Everything should be ok.
Yes but Brazil still has Ivory Coast/ Norway and England waiting for them. Also France now has a relatively easier path to semis on paper!
I would say better rest Cuti in this tie and hope for the best from Otamendi. Cuti is surely needed in the later stages against bigger opponents.
So the upset has begun, was expecting Germany to go through easily against Paraguay a team whom USA beat 4-1,This was unexpected for sure. Was expecting Germany vs France Round 16 cracker. Japan nearly stunned Brazil, Morrocco Netherlands is getting nail bitting.
Its getting tighter. The elite teams are now being hunted.
So Paraguay finally decided to wake up and watching smug-faced Neuer lose is always a treat✌️👍
El Magreeb Vs Dutchy, Let’s go Morocco
I was shocked to see the result after waking up in the morning. As Brazil somehow managed to win,i opined that Germany will cruise into round of 16 .However losing in penalties is something unexpected and describes the terrible phase in which german football is in right now.
This is a message we can’t take cane verde lightly. However like Germany we could be losing some defenders. I hope Romero gets a rest and we keep the defence tight till the end.
True that ! No more powerhouses.Brazil were a whisker away from defeat.Hadn’t japan played ultra defensive in the 2nd half,the result would have been different.
Vamos Paraguay👏 first time Germany loose penalties in WC history!
Just waiting for England to loose against Congo and how English media will kill Tuchel! Germany should had lost against Ivory Coast allready and they did not play good at all in this tournament or in the 2 previous WC’s, beside their International friendly against Curacao😉 Japan shot themself in to their own leg….they should had pressed more and not only sat back and waited for counter, but somehow they respected this Brazil way too much….a bit strange approach from their coach knewing they could had hurted Brazil…
.i’m laughing for those people in Europe who are desperatly crying for European teams to have more places for WC or they feel, that Africa and Asia have been favoured over European teams by giving them more places to qualify😂 if Turkey, Scotland and Czech Republic went out in group stage’s and allmost even Germany who could only get corners against Paraguay’s low block and deserved allready to loose against Ivory Coast, well i don’t honestly know, which European teams they are talking about as all i can think of are Italy, Denmark and maybe Hungary, Poland, Greece and Ukraine who all blew their own chances completly away so i don’t understand the fuss about European teams not been treated fairly and, that hey should have more place’s for WC…?
😂😂😅
For example Panama played good against Ghana, Croatia and England! So did Haiti against Scotland and Morocco! Yes, both lost all their game’s, but if they would had been in group A or B they might had gone through….Only France, Netherlands and maybe Norway have looked like teams to beat from Europe. France clearly and obviously the most dangerous, but was not convinced about Spain and Portugal, though they can both still raise their level…..
Netherlands vs Morocco will be difficult to predict and i think both teams have a chance to go through… Looking for to for this game….
Remember how Mbappe said it was easier in UEFA than in CONMEBOL? Eurocentrism at its worst. I hope England are next.
No, the other way around lol
Yes, truly wish England to go out next!
Yes
I must have missed Otamendi’s flying kick against Jordan. He has always been a ticking time bomb, but now that he is 4 years older and its even more worrying! When Jordan scored he was nowhere near the box. I don’t get why Scaloni prefers Otamendi and Balerdi over Senesi, who is clearly ahead of both. If Senesi was as slow as people say, he wouldn’t be playing in the fastest league in the world. Fazio was a slow defender and didn’t workout in the EPL, but Senesi has done extremely well with Bournemouth and he actually kept up well with the Jordan forward as the last man. Please Scaloni & Co dont play Otamendi against Cape Verde. They will 100% park the bus and hit on counters, and with how often we lose possession, our defenders will be under constant counter attacks. I don’t want Otamendi going for more flying kicks and get us knocked out when the path to Semis is so straight forward!!
I think the issue is the Senesi is a left footed CB, just like Lisandro, so you can’t have both on the pitch. The thing is, left-footed players rarely play on the right (RCB) because roughly 80% of footballers are right-footed, making right-footers much more adaptable to playing on their “wrong” side. So it is not really about whether Senesi is better than Otamendi per se.
Yes, that is the reason why Otamendi will play until Cuti can….
I agree why Scaloni may pick Otamendi over Senesi. Yes, he is rightfooted , senior cb and has a better chemistry with Emi and the midfield. That said, otamendi has also played as a leftsided centre-back alongside Romero plenty of times, so I don’t think the left/right balance is the only reason main reason.
My biggest concern isn’t really his defending, which is still pretty good for his age, but his decision making. He can still switch off or make a rash stupid challenge at the worst possible moment, and that’s more worrying than any decline in his defensive ability especially considering Cape Verde will be looking for opportunities for counter attack. Also Scaloni may sub Senesi for him later , if the match goes into extratime, but hopefully not !
I agree with you Sulav, but right footed CBs usually are more acceptable on the left than vice versa, hence why Otamendi and even Balerdi played LCB, but Licha and Senesi always play on the left.
Japan really dominated Brazil in the first half, showing that the days of easy wins are over and no team is a pushover anymore.
Yeah, their manager shouldn’t have parked the bus for the whole half and trusted their attack more instead of trying to defend a 1 – 0 lead against a much much better attacking team. Watching Germany and Brazil out the same day would have been awesome!
Japan scores 🙂
Start Senesi, he should be the 3rd choice CB. Otamendi vs Jordan did that flying kick and miss the ball again just like he did against France in the 2022 final. Otamendi should only play if they’re defending a lead late in the game.
Same feelings. Same mistake many times…
No need to push it. If we play at our level we should not miss him against Cape Verde.
I think Christian Romero must be rested against Cape Verde. He will be very important later stage of the tournament. Otamendi ok for Cape Verde match.
Also think taglafico need to be substitute in the 2nd half and replaced by Christian Medina since he just came back from injury.
Moreover lo celso might replace Rodrigo de paul in the 2nd half. I consider lo celso very important for the Argentina and at the moment prefer him over Paz because of lo celso experience, defensive ability & link up with messi.
If we impose our game on Cape Verde and don’t let them counter attack easily, then Otamendi is an asset with passing, distribution and aerial threat from set pieces. However, if they manage to break on a counter, his lack of pace can be a liability. We just need to make sure it does not happen.
We are doomed if Otamendi starts
Why so much negativity on otamendi.His aerial ability is second to none. Let’s hope for the best and during be ready for the upcoming matches.