Messi and Argentina open their World Cup defense against Algeria

The defense begins tonight

Argentina open their World Cup defense against Algeria on Tuesday, kickoff at 10pm in Kansas City (1) (2). Same competition, same beard, same Messi, your team walks into Arrowhead Stadium carrying the weight of a title and a bad opener habit. Argentina have lost their first match after both previous World Cup wins. Scaloni's core from Qatar is intact, and the Group J opener is yours to set the tone.

Balerdi breaks his silence on the cut

Leonardo Balerdi spoke for the first time since injury knocked him out of the World Cup squad 10 days ago. "I won't lie, the first few days were very hard. After so much effort and dreaming for so long of being there, losing a World Cup because of an injury is difficult to accept," he said (3). His Marseille teammates unfurled a support banner, and the Argentina squad sent their own message. "Seeing that photo moves me a lot," Balerdi added (3).

Messi is chasing Rivellino's outside-the-box record

Two goals from distance separate Messi from history. Roberto Rivellino holds the World Cup record for most goals from outside the box, and Messi sits two behind heading into the tournament (4). Another page to turn in his sixth World Cup.

Olé runs the Qatar cover again for luck

Superstition is alive. Argentine tabloid Olé reprinted its exact cover from the 2022 World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia, same Tuesday, same bearded Messi, same headline. "The dream begins. And yes, we are repeating the cover from our debut in Qatar, also on a Tuesday... We have a team. Let's go, Scaloneta!" the paper wrote (5). You know how that campaign ended.

Fan reactions

The r/soccer preview for Argentina is pure anticipation, a 40-part series saved the champions for last. Fans are split between confidence in the Qatar core and the nagging memory of the Saudi Arabia loss in 2022. The opening-match hoodoo for defending champions is the big talking point, but most expect Scaloni's side to handle Algeria. Full preview here.