Argentina should have the ball and the territorial edge, with Lautaro Martínez stretching Algeria’s back line while Messi and Nico Paz look to find pockets between the lines. Algeria’s best route is a compact mid-block, then fast breaks through Riyad Mahrez and Amine Gouiri, with Houssem Aouar as the first release valve under pressure. The key battle is Argentina’s circulation against Algeria’s defensive shape: if Messi can consistently receive on the half-turn and turn that into third-man runs, Algeria will be forced to collapse centrally and open wide lanes. Given the market makes Argentina a clear favorite, the result likely hinges on whether Algeria can keep the game level into the second half or whether Argentina’s possession game turns pressure into early chances.
