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MIAMI — Argentina begins a new phase of the 2026 World Cup on Friday, starting the knockout round of the tournament with a round of 32 contest.
Fitness concerns about the team's star, Lionel Messi, before the tournament have been forgotten as the 39-year-old dashed out to the lead of the golden boot race with six goals in three matches in the group stage. That included one in the team's group final against Jordan, which he didn't start.
Messi likely will be back in the starting XI as the matches start to matter for Lionel Scaloni's men, but the Argentina manager has a tough choice to make alongside Messi: Will Lautaro Martínez start after his debut World Cup goal in the win over Jordan? Or is Julian Alvarez set to keep his place in the starting lineup?
With Messi returning, Scaloni will likely go back to his hybrid 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 with Messi pairing with one attacker and Thiago Almada playing as the left winger.
We're projecting that Martinez keeps his place next to Messi. While Alvarez is perhaps the more dangerous scorer, Martinez has combined well with Messi, and getting that long-awaited goal could lead to more scoring from the Inter Milan man.
After Tottenham Hotspur center back Cristian "Cuti" Romero went out in the second group game with a knee issue, he wasn't considered for the match against Jordan. Romero returned to training, though, and is able to slot back into the starting XI.
We expect he will once again pair with Lisandro Martinez, though if the Albiceleste is extra cautious with his recovery, Nicolas Otamendi could once again get the nod.
Another question that Scaloni is still working through is who his best fullbacks are. Veteran left back Nicolas Tagliafico impressed against Jordan and could keep his place over Facundo Medina.
Dibu Martinez will start again at goalkeeper.
No. The trio of Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez are likely to return after all three rested against Jordan, with only Mac Allister seeing action in the group finale.
Dibu Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Medina; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Thiago Almada
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Argentina projected lineup vs Cape Verde in World Cup round of 32: Who will join Messi?
Continue reading...
Fitness concerns about the team's star, Lionel Messi, before the tournament have been forgotten as the 39-year-old dashed out to the lead of the golden boot race with six goals in three matches in the group stage. That included one in the team's group final against Jordan, which he didn't start.
Messi likely will be back in the starting XI as the matches start to matter for Lionel Scaloni's men, but the Argentina manager has a tough choice to make alongside Messi: Will Lautaro Martínez start after his debut World Cup goal in the win over Jordan? Or is Julian Alvarez set to keep his place in the starting lineup?
Who will start with Lionel Messi in the Argentina attack?
With Messi returning, Scaloni will likely go back to his hybrid 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 with Messi pairing with one attacker and Thiago Almada playing as the left winger.
We're projecting that Martinez keeps his place next to Messi. While Alvarez is perhaps the more dangerous scorer, Martinez has combined well with Messi, and getting that long-awaited goal could lead to more scoring from the Inter Milan man.
Is Cristian Romero fit to return to the Argentina lineup?
After Tottenham Hotspur center back Cristian "Cuti" Romero went out in the second group game with a knee issue, he wasn't considered for the match against Jordan. Romero returned to training, though, and is able to slot back into the starting XI.
We expect he will once again pair with Lisandro Martinez, though if the Albiceleste is extra cautious with his recovery, Nicolas Otamendi could once again get the nod.
Another question that Scaloni is still working through is who his best fullbacks are. Veteran left back Nicolas Tagliafico impressed against Jordan and could keep his place over Facundo Medina.
Dibu Martinez will start again at goalkeeper.
Is there a surprise in Argentina's midfield?
No. The trio of Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez are likely to return after all three rested against Jordan, with only Mac Allister seeing action in the group finale.
Argentina projected XI vs. Cape Verde
Dibu Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Medina; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Thiago Almada
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Argentina projected lineup vs Cape Verde in World Cup round of 32: Who will join Messi?
Continue reading...
