Argentina v Algeria: Commentary, updates, goals and stats as Lionel Messi leads defending champions in first leg

Argentina open their defense of the World Cup title they won in Qatar four years ago tonight when they face Algeria in Kansas City.

Lionel Scaloni’s men backed up their global success with another Copa America victory in 2024 and start the tournament as one of the favourites, although their challenge may depend on whether Lionel Messi fully overcomes the muscle fatigue that has plagued his form.

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Algeria is playing in the World Cup for the first time since 2014 after an impressive qualifying campaign. Vladimir Petkovic’s side topped their CAF qualifying group and have shown encouraging form in recent months, recording wins over the Netherlands and Bolivia while conceding just twice in their last six games.

The Fennec Foxes have a high attacking quality with Riyadh Mahrez, Mohammed Amoura and Amine Gouiri, and will look at this match as an opportunity to show that they can compete with one of the tournament favourites.

Where to watch Argentina v Algeria: TV channel, live streaming online

Kick-off on Wednesday is at 02:00 BST (21:00 ET Tuesday / 18:00 PT Tuesday). In the UK, broadcast live on ITV1.

Fans can stream the action on a wide range of devices with the ITVX app.

World Cup 2026: Argentina v Algeria statistics

• Only Brazil (5) and Germany and Italy (4 each) have won more World Cups than Argentina (3), no country has lifted the trophy as many times as La Albiceleste since their first triumph in 1978.
• Argentina would become the third team to win consecutive titles, following Italy (1934-1938) and Brazil (1958-1962).
• They managed to enter the 19th World Cup, participating for the 14th time in a row as part of the longest tournament, behind Brazil (23) and Germany (19).
• The only time Argentina failed to progress to the group stage in their last 14 World Cup appearances was in 2002 under Marcelo Bielsa.
• Lionel Messi holds the all-time record for most World Cup appearances, with 26 appearances
• (13 goals, 8 assists). In 2022, scored or assisted 10 of 15 goals for Argentina (7 goals, 3 assists)
• Lionel Scaloni is the only head coach of Argentina to win the World Cup (2022) with the team
• Copa America (2021, 2024), as well as being the first to lead Argentina to two consecutive World Cups since Carlos Bilardo, who won the tournament in 1986 and finished last in 1990.
• It is the fifth time Algeria has played in the finals and the first time since 2014, while the World Cup in Brazil was the only one where they made it past the first round.
• Algeria won two of their first three World Cup matches in 1982 but have won 10 since, beating Korea Republic 4-2 in the group stage in 2014.
• They made history in 13 World Cup matches, they drew 0-0 with England in 2010.
• With eight wins in qualifying, Algeria achieved their highest tally in a single campaign, surpassing their seven wins in 2010.
• Mohammed Amoura was the top scorer in the African qualifiers, netting 10 goals in 10 games and participating in 58% of Algeria’s goals, scoring 10 and assisting four of 24.
• Vladimir Petkovic previously led Switzerland to the round of 16 in 2018 and is the second Bosnian to manage Algeria at the World Cup, following Vahid Halilhodzic in 2014.

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