Argentina Face Confident Algeria in World Cup Opener

Lionel Messi and Argentina arrive at their Group J opener against Algeria carrying the weight of expectation that comes with defending a World Cup title, according to Reuters. The South Americans head into the match in Kansas City as heavy favourites, but Algeria are far from a pushover.

The North Africans bring a four-match unbeaten run into the tournament, a run that included a draw against twice-world-champions Uruguay and a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands. Forwards Anis Hadj Moussa and Amine Gouiri have been in sharp form, combining for four goals across their last two fixtures, and coach Vladimir Petkovic recently had his contract extended to 2028, a sign of strong confidence in his project.

Offensive midfielder Ibrahim Maza, described by Reuters as a major creative threat, adds another dimension to an Algeria side that will fancy their chances of causing an upset against the champions.