Group J - Argentina | Algeria | Austria | Jordan

Can Argentina do it again

Argentina team announced and not too many surprises. Cool to see Nico Paz there after his great season at Como.
Nico Paz and Giulliano Simeone have something in common. Their dads both played for Argentina in the 1998 WC in Italy under coach Passerella

Hello Austin111! seeing you here!

A few thoughts on the Argentina team. 

The squad was released a few days, and after taking a close look at the players selected by head coach Lionel Scaloni, one thing immediately became clear — the 2022 World Cup triumph has long been put behind them.

There is no room for sentiment, experimentation, or selections based purely on hype.

As Argentina prepares for the upcoming tournament, Scaloni has chosen experience and are proven, in good form and have produced top performances for their respective clubs.

This is the first time Argentina arrive at a World Cup in peace. Excited, yes, but also calm. The greatest strength is the team’s collectiveness, the fact that everyone works hard for each other and that has been highlighted again and again over the past 6 years or so. Everyone in the team – in the squad in fact – knows their role: this is a well-oiled machine.

The current cycle began towards the end of 2018 after Jorge Sampaoli’s disastrous spell in charge, which included a last-16 exit from the Russia World Cup and off- and on-field problems. Lionel Scaloni, who had been an assistant to Sampaoli, took over on an interim basis – together with Pablo Aimar – and the former Deportivo La Coruña and Lazio player never looked back.

His contract was extended to include the 2019 Copa América, in which Argentina finished third, and finally to include the same tournament two years later as well as the World Cup. Argentina have not always performed well under Scaloni and there were times when the team looked unsure of how to play, confused even, but slowly things came together.

Argentina’s star-studded midfield grabs control of each and every game, dictating the flow of play with sharp, accurate passing from the opening whistle. The team toys with opponents before one clever ball carves apart a defense, leaving Messi to finish the job up top.

When things falter up front, the disciplined backline and exceptional goalkeeping of Emiliano Martínez tends to save the day.

 The major change comes on the left wing in the wake of Ángel Di María’s retirement. Atlético Madrid star Thiago Almada is in pole position to fill the hole in Scaloni’s attack, though Como standout Nico Paz is perhaps the more exciting, dynamic option.


There is an overwhelming belief across Argentina that the country can successfully defend its World Cup title, cementing its status as the greatest national team ever. After watching La Albiceleste come out on top in its last three major international tournaments, fans simply expect the team to add another piece of hardware to its trophy cabinet this summer.

The high expectations put Argentina under immense pressure, but that feeling is nothing new for the reigning world champions. It will take another special effort, though, to go back-to-back, and failing to do so will hang a gloomy cloud over the team and country.

Good summary.
Argentina for me will make the semis and probably the final.
I dont think the Europe centric world football media have given the Argentine team enough credit.
In the last six years they have been a powerhouse. Winning multiple trophys and ranking 1 or 2 globally for most of that time.
Going into this WC I see their strengths and possible weakness.
First off strengths.
1. Scaloni. Brillant coach who just knows how to get the best out of the side
2. Mentally. Toughest team on the planet. Will fight for each other. The heat wont bother them. Grinta
3. The midfield. Collectively they are the best 
4. Tactics. Their possession style will suit the heat and humidity in the USA. They will just wear sides down.
Possible weakness.
1. Age. Lots of players near the end of their careers. Can they perform over a long tournement?
2. No international quality left wing. The havnt replaced de Maria. Its a shame Garnacho didnt step up
3. Lack of hight
4. Lack of pace especially LB and RB.
Tagliofico is an excellent player but he wont trouble teams with his speed. Same on right flank
5. Relying too much on Messi

Messi underway!

Algeria doing well to keep the Argies at 1, havent really threatened to score yet.

Messi with 2 now, second highest scorer behind Klose, tied with Ronaldo (the brazilian). C Ronaldo only has 8 goals at WCs

This World Cup should put to rest the GOAT question between Messi and C Ronaldo. Assuming one of them finally wins the tournament.

Messi hat trick!!

Messi! Decent player alright. 

Pretty sure Messi won it in 2022.

shoot so he was, 
Messi 1
C Ronaldo 0

That debate has been over for a long time.

Only Ronaldo and Piers Morgan still think it's Ronaldo.

.... LOL....:-) ... that was priceless

image.png 2.54 MB

Hmmmm

That wasn't even given a yellow right? But, and this is me like asking for real. Are they always given?

A still image never tells the real story. The players ankle was already twisting as his foot got caught in the field, after the initial foul also from Messi. Then Messi stood on the back of his leg making it bend a bit more. There was no force and took his foot off immediately. Watching the actual video, I think it should have been a yellow, but don't feel it was a red and since VAR can't intervene on a yellow card, he got away with no card here.

probably should have been a yellow, but they are often missed.
was very innocuaous looking in real time,

Austria knocked out by Algeria, when all they needed was a draw for both to qualify
correction, just as this posts Austria equalise!

Bonkers! How'd you be feeling right now if you were Iranian? 

Feel for Iran.

If that was us well, I just can’t imagine.

I don’t think I could watch another game of football.

Of course the extreme irony is that Algeria were the victims of the famous Anschluss match of 1982 between Austria and Germany. They almost exacted bitter sweet revenge with their late goal. Austria had other ideas. What drama!!!!!

They must feel they are cursed. The US made their buildup so difficult yet they battled through unbeaten, had goals in two games ruled out by centimeters, hit the post in the last minute against Egypt, then had to watch their prize being snatched away with the last kick of this game. Heart breaking, but congrats to Algeria and Austria. Definitely one of the weirdest WC games I've ever seen.

Those last minutes of Austria V Algeria were something. Before Algeria 3rd goal I was sitting there watching....just waiting for the game to be over because well the passing around/since that second half hydration break not much was happening. So glad didn't listen to myself and didn't turn it off