- Team form: Argentina have won five and drawn one of their last six home games, averaging 2.67 goals per game.
- Away form: Algeria are undefeated in their last three away matches across all competitions, scoring 2.00 goals and conceding just 0.33 goals per match.
- Recent record: Both teams are in equally impressive form, with eight wins, one draw and one defeat each across their previous ten matches across all comps.
Algeria can be giant-killers again
Match context
Algeria's return to the FIFA World Cup stage and Lionel Scaloni's Argentina's defense of their crown and Lionel Messi's farewell make this an intriguing tactical matchup on Wednesday. Algeria's recent form is solid, if not spectacular, with a 7-0 victory over Guatemala last time out and a draw with Uruguay the week before.
The Desert Foxes have won three, drawn one and lost one of their previous five matches, including a stunning 1-0 away victory against the Netherlands yesterday.
Tactics and players
The Desert Foxes have been known to change formation to suit their opposition in recent years and coach Vladimir Petković, who took over in February 2024, has made the most of the flexibility of the 4-2-3-1. Algeria can play wide, using the pace and directness of the likes of Mohamed Amoura on the flanks to stretch out the opposition and create space for their wide-attacking players.
Amoura, in particular, has the explosive pace to cause problems and can drag defenders out of position with his skill and directness. Houssem Aouar is the creative hub in midfield, providing combinations and playing through balls in behind for his strikeforce, which includes Riyad Mahrez on the right-hand side.
Mahrez is the heartbeat of this team, the creative playmaker who unlocks defences with his dribbling and vision from the right-hand-side. The Algerians can switch from a 4-2-3-1, depending on who they face, and in this instance, the tactic they opt for will be to counter the midfield dominance of Messi and his star-studded teammates.
Scaloni’s side are at the top of their game
Argentina are the overwhelming 1.42 favorites for this game while Algeria are 9.3 outsiders, which is a massive difference in the bookmakers' perception of this game. The oddsmakers are right that Argentina are the most likely winner, given their home record and firepower, but Algeria are in solid form.
Scaloni has been the coach of this side since 2018, but he has only recently got this team to gel together in a way that has made them so dominant in 2026.
- They are tactically disciplined and know their roles, but also possess a transition game that is deadly with Messi in a free role through the middle.
- They can play a 4-3-3 but will often drop into a mid-block 4-4-2 that compresses the middle and allows them to get players in behind their opponents quickly.
- Julián Álvarez has been excellent in his pressing triggers and clinical nature in front of goal.
- Emiliano Martínez is the goalkeeper who makes the big save and is the leader of this squad, and they have enough talent to score a few goals if required.
Back Argentina to win but not to dominate
Argentina are 1.42 favorites for this match, which is a really fair price for a game they should win, given the stakes are so high. Algeria are a dangerous team with an experienced coach who will set them up to play tactically savvy.
They are in good form and won't just sit back and try to frustrate their opponents.
Argentina are red-hot right now with five wins in a row, but they only beat Mauritania 2-1 and Zambia 5-0 in home friendly matches ahead of this tournament. Algeria had a 1-0 away win over the Netherlands to build on and I think they can keep it tight, so backing 'Both teams to score – No' at 1.62 looks a good play here.
