Three and a half years ago, Argentina walked into the FIFA World Cup in Qatar carrying a 36-match unbeaten run and the hopes of millions. Ninety minutes later, they had suffered one of the biggest upsets in football history.
Yet that defeat became the foundation of a championship campaign.
On Tuesday night in Kansas City, Lionel Scaloni’s side begin another World Cup journey, this time as defending champions, against an ambitious Algeria team that believes it can script a similar shock. Reuters reported that Scaloni himself has repeatedly reminded his players about the lessons of 2022, insisting that opening matches should never be taken lightly.
The ghost of Saudi Arabia
No reigning champion starts a World Cup without pressure, but Argentina carry an even bigger psychological burden.
All credit goes to their opening game in Qatar 2022 against Saudi Arabia remains one of football’s greatest surprises.
Qatar 2022: Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
Venue: Lusail Stadium
Goals
- Lionel Messi (10′, penalty)
- Saleh Al-Shehri (48′)
- Salem Al-Dawsari (53′)
Argentina dominated possession, created numerous chances and even had three goals ruled out for offside in the first half.
Everything appeared under control after Messi’s early penalty.
Then came five extraordinary minutes. Al-Shehri exploited a defensive lapse to equalize before Al-Dawsari curled an unforgettable strike into the top corner. Saudi Arabia defended with remarkable discipline and handed Argentina their first defeat in nearly three years.
Also read: USA vs Paraguay: Balogun’s Historic Brace Gives USMNT Perfect World Cup 2026 Start
Argentina’s road to glory
After losing their opener, Argentina responded with remarkable consistency.
Group Stage
- Beat Mexico 2-0
- Beat Poland 2-0
Knockout Stage
- Defeated Australia 2-1
- Beat Netherlands on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw
- Defeated Croatia 3-0
- Beat France on penalties following an unforgettable 3-3 final
The opening defeat eventually became the turning point that united the squad and produced one of the greatest World Cup stories ever.
Why Algeria believe they can shock the champions
Algeria are not arriving merely to participate. The North African side enters the tournament unbeaten in four matches and has recently recorded impressive victories over the Netherlands and Bolivia, giving them confidence before facing the world champions.
Coach: Vladimir Petkovic
Petkovic has built a side that is compact without the ball and dangerous in transition. His teams prefer:
- Quick vertical passing
- Aggressive pressing in midfield
- Fast attacks through wide areas
- Technical players capable of exploiting space behind defenders
Scaloni himself compared Algeria’s style to Morocco’s recent tactical discipline and praised their speed and technical ability, warning that they cannot be underestimated.
Player to watch
Ibrahim Maza
The biggest Algerian attraction is young attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza. Nicknamed “Mazadona” by sections of the media, he represents the new generation of Algerian football and has already spoken confidently about competing against the defending champions.
His creativity between the lines and ability to carry the ball into dangerous areas could become Algeria’s biggest weapon against Argentina’s experienced defence.
Argentina’s strength remains unchanged
Unlike many defending champions that undergo massive rebuilding phases, Argentina have retained the core that lifted the trophy.
Lionel Messi
At 38, Messi is set to become the first player to appear in six FIFA World Cups. While he may no longer dominate matches with explosive pace, his intelligence, passing range and ability to decide games in moments continue to make him football’s ultimate difference-maker.
Julian Alvarez
The striker’s movement creates space for Messi and the attacking midfielders. Despite recovering from an ankle issue, reports suggest he is available for selection.
Emiliano Martinez
Argentina’s penalty hero is expected to start despite recently recovering from a finger fracture, providing experience and leadership from the back.
Tactical Battle
Argentina
Formation: 4-3-3 (with fluid attacking rotations)
Strengths:
- Midfield control
- Ball possession
- Wide overloads
- Messi’s creativity between the lines
Weakness:
- High defensive line can be exposed by quick counter-attacks.
Algeria
Likely approach:
- Compact defensive block
- Fast transitions
- Direct attacks into space
- Physical midfield battle
The first 20 minutes could define the contest. If Argentina score early, their superior technical quality may dominate possession and stretch Algeria. If Algeria survive the opening phase, memories of Saudi Arabia could increase pressure on the defending champions.
Will history repeat itself?
Every World Cup produces at least one major upset. In 2022, it was Saudi Arabia defeating eventual champions Argentina. Four years later, Algeria arrive with belief, organization and momentum.
But there is one major difference. This Argentina squad has already experienced the pain of an opening-day defeat and knows exactly how dangerous complacency can be. Scaloni’s repeated references to the Saudi Arabia loss suggest the lesson has not been forgotten.That may be Algeria’s biggest obstacle.
Prediction
Argentina possess greater depth, experience and individual brilliance, while Algeria have enough tactical discipline to remain competitive.
If Scaloni’s side approaches the match with the intensity that defined its title-winning campaign, the defending champions should have enough quality to avoid another opening-day shock. A disciplined Algeria, however, is capable of making life uncomfortable and ensuring that Argentina cannot afford even a moment of complacency.
FAQs: Argentina vs Algeria
Argentina and Algeria are part of Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group also includes Netherlands and Bolivia, making every opening match crucial in the race for a place in the knockout stage.
Argentina will face Algeria on Tuesday night in Kansas City as both teams begin their Group D campaign. The match marks Argentina’s first outing as defending champions.
For Argentina, Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez and Emiliano Martinez are expected to play pivotal roles. Algeria’s biggest threat is young attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza, whose creativity and dribbling ability could trouble the defending champions.
Yes. Messi and Argentina lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their opening match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Despite that setback, Argentina recovered to win the tournament, making it one of the most remarkable comeback stories in World Cup history.
Argentina enter the match as favourites due to their experience, squad depth and individual quality. However, Algeria’s disciplined defensive approach and confidence could make the contest highly competitive, meaning the defending champions cannot afford any complacency.
Prateeksha Kumari is a journalist and strategic communications professional specialising in digital journalism, political reporting, and public affairs. Her work focuses on grassroots issues, governance, and civic developments, with an emphasis on clarity, accuracy, and narrative-driven reporting.
She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla and has qualified the UGC-NET examination, reflecting her academic grounding in media studies and communication research. Her reporting spans politics, public policy, health, education, and socio-economic issues, and she is experienced in bilingual (Hindi and English) content creation tailored to diverse audiences.
Alongside her journalistic work, she brings experience in political communication and public relations, where she has contributed to campaign messaging, media outreach, and narrative building. She has worked on integrated communication strategies across print and digital platforms, combining editorial judgment with audience insight and data-led content approaches.
