Argentina vs Algeria
When the world champions launch their title defence at World Cup 2026 in Kansas in midweek, they will do so as the dominant force in both the globe and their own backyard (South America).
Now for the acid test though.
No nation has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil (1958 & 1962) so the chances of Lionel Scaloni’s men doing so may seem slim.
Yet one aspect in their favour is that they are no longer as reliant on the genius of captain Lionel Messi, the player who spearheaded their success in Qatar, who will be appearing in a record sixth consecutive World Cup and who will celebrate his 39th birthday during the competition.
Although the quite brilliant 2022 showpiece got the ending many connoisseurs of the beautiful game wished for, Messi was not quite the influence some romantics would have you think (penalties aside) and once again his compatriots can step up to the plate.
Talking Points
In truth, qualifying was a breeze as Argentina finished top of the Conmebol section, nine points clear of second-placed Ecuador. It also included a first World Cup qualifying win against their arch rivals in Brazil.
They should emerge from Group J, which also contains Austria and Jordan, with something to spare before meeting any of the established footballing nations.
As for Algeria, they have an impressive recent record: a friendly victory over Holland made it 21 wins, four draws and three defeats from 28 matches under Vladimir Petkovic, with 67 goals scored.
The problem is that it has been achieved against generally poor-quality opposition.
Algeria’s qualifying campaign was a breeze, with Guinea and Mozambique providing their sternest tests so the World Cup will be a massive step up in quality.
Quarter-finalists at the African Cup of Nations’ at the start of the year, we are yet to discover if they are capable of far more.
At the age of 35, Riyad Mahrez remains their main man. The 2016 PFA Player of the Year will captain the Fennecs but no longer has the legs to play 90 minutes. During the Cup of Nations, Mahrez was usually substituted after the hour mark and that may be the case again in the heat of this tournament.
Watch out for Manchester City wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri. He can play as a traditional full-back or in a more advanced role, raiding down the flank or cutting in to join the attacking group.
A clever player, he scored eight goals in 114 appearances for Wolves, a return which caught the eye and earned him a £32 million move to City last summer on a five-year deal.
He is a star of the Desert Warriors, and Ait-Nouri will relish the opportunity to line up against Messi.
Older fans will be particularly looking forward to the final group stage game against Austria and a chance to avenge the Disgrace of Gijón, when West Germany and Austria colluded to eliminate Algeria from the 1982 World Cup.
That is a few weeks down the line though.
All the World Cup 2026 highlights from this game should belong to Argentina, although remember what happened to them in their first group game four years ago when the minnows of Saudi Arabia sensationally shocked the world.
History
If their only clash to date, an international friendly in 2007, is anything to go by, this could be a cracker.
On that occasion, in Barcelona, the Albiceleste edged a seven-goal thriller with Messi and Carlos Tevez both netting penalties and being joined on the scoresheet by Esteban Cambiasso before Messi scored the winner on familiar turf at the Nou Camp.
Anthar Yahia and Nadir Belhadj (two) kept Algeria in the contest until the very end.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP World Cup 2026 betting odds are as one-sided as you would expect them to be.
Argentina are priced 1X2 @ 1.38 compared to Algeria @ 8.60.
Even a draw @ 4.52 appears unlikely and, if there is going to be a repeat of what happened 19 years ago, then Correct Score 4-3 will earn you a very tidy pay day indeed at a whopping @ 250.00.
Asian Handicap bets lean similarly towards the South Americans with Argentina on offer -1.50 @ 2.21 in contrast to Algeria +1.00 @ 2.33.
I think there will be a fair few goals so I have considered over 2.75 goals @ 2.26 and total goals 4-6 @ 3.41. I have decided to plump for an altogether more restrained bet
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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