Lautaro Martínez is expected to start alongside Lionel Messi in Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Algeria.
The Inter Milan striker arrives in excellent form after helping his club win the Serie A title and is set to lead the attack for Lionel Scaloni’s team. His main competition for the spot, Julián Álvarez, missed Argentina’s recent friendly matches due to discomfort in one of his ankles but has since recovered.
According to reports, Scaloni’s plan is to give Álvarez some minutes off the bench if the match situation allows it.
PLEASE KEEP OTAMENDI AWAY FROM THIS MATCH. HE CAN CAUSE PENALTY AND ARGENTINA WILL LOSE BADLY. THIS ALGERIAN TEAM WILL NOT BE EASY. THEY ARE FAST VERY PHYSICAL. MESSI NEEDS TO BE CAREFUL PLAYING A FULL GAME
Alvarez would be dearly missed against a hard pressing and tall African side. Lautaro would struggle. May be Lopez would be brought in earlier. But risking Alvarez’s ankle should be the last option.
Winning the first match convincingly is extremly important to avoid unnecessary stress and pressure!
I have been coming to this site from 2014 onwards if I remember correctly. If I remember correctly not one article I missed out on reading. Never really registered. Simply came to find information, insight, and what other fans are saying. Never looked to engage with anyone. Just someone who was hoping someday Argentina will win. Argentina did win. As a fan I have no expectation. I want to stay calm. Of course excitement is there. But It’s calm. The wounds are there. But I have seen myself become a champion too. All the best luck to Argentina National Team and Messi. You do not need to win the trophy. You owe nothing. It’s just privilege to watch you play.
Welcome bud.
I think that’s true for most of us. We waited so long, weathered so many heartbreaks before finally becoming champions, and convinced ourselves the only thing football ever owed us was that single triumph. But now that the debt is paid, there’s a strange hollowness. This emptiness is hard to explain, perhaps because we didn’t know what would be left once the chase was over.
Much better than 2018 & 2022.
Still that feeling of the first match won’t is Still there. The Time difference is making it worse. Sleeping will be a difficult task today.
❣️
Exactly my thoughts, brudder.
Like many here, I’m calm, collected, assured (as a current world champion should be).
But the build is bubbling. Regardless of how the “favourites” are winning 7-1 or can only get draws, once the first whistle for our first match blows, once the ball starts rolling, those many painful memories of the failed finals, the first match and the roller coasters at last edition, will all come flooding back. Butterflies in the stomach stuff. But this is what it means to support the Albiceleste.
Mixed thoughts about the team selected – mostly familiar faces (who have since then been stars in their own right) so it’s good for team dynamics. but it also means people may refer to last edition to see how we played and reacted and plan accordingly.
Will have to see how our team evolves and whether it is agile and flexible, suring thw match throughout the tournament.
Vamos Argentina!
Just about 9 hours left …. relaxed a bit, confident a bit for what Scaloni and this team has consistently done …. and slightly nervous as it’s our first match at the WC 2026. God willing we will have a win here. Vamos!