Argentina — The Dossier

Argentina

Group JCONMEBOL“La Albiceleste”

Defending world champions, and the stage for Lionel Messi's record sixth World Cup — still the gravitational centre of everything they do.

What the world is saying

Argentina’s title defence has become the Lionel Messi farewell tour. After a hat-trick against Algeria, his brace in a 2-0 win over Austria made him the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history (18 goals, two clear of Klose) and the first man since Jairzinho in 1970 to score in six consecutive World Cup games. The global press frames Argentina as genuine contenders carried by a 38-year-old rewriting the record books, though the earlier refereeing row over his (uncarded) conduct still lingers in rival coverage.

ESPN· United Statespraise

“Messi makes history” — leads on the 38-year-old becoming the outright all-time World Cup scorer, noting he broke the record after missing a penalty and now sits two clear of Klose.[source]

Opta Analyst· United Kingdompraise

Frames the brace statistically: Messi is the first since Jairzinho (1970) and Just Fontaine (1958) to score in six straight World Cup games, and took seven shots — more than double any other player on the pitch.[source]

Al Jazeera· Qatarpraise

Framed the opener as Messi rewriting history on his record sixth World Cup, noting a successful defence would make him "the first Argentinian captain" to retain the trophy, "one not even the great Diego Maradona could claim."[source]

The Week (citing South Africa coach Hugo Broos)· Indiacriticism

Reported Algeria's FIFA complaint and Broos questioning Messi's non-punishment after his player was suspended: "I don't want Messi to get a red card... but what was the difference between that and Zwane?"[source]

The squad

Attack

Lionel MessiInter Miami

Outfield GoalkeeperSorted by market value within each line

Matches