Round 1 ·
Argentina
4-4-2
Lionel Scaloni
WinnerHT: 1-0
Algeria
4-2-3-1
Vladimir Petkovic
Updated:
Half Time
1–0
90 Min
3–0
Goal Scorers
Assists
Ball Possession
Corners
Counter Attacks
Fouls
Free Kicks
Goal Attempts
Goal Kicks
Goals
Offsides
Red Cards
Saves
Shots Off Target
Shots On Target
Substitutions
Throws In
Treatments
Yellow Cards
Attacks
Dangerous Attacks
Total Passes
Argentina
4-4-2 · Lionel Scaloni
Goalkeeper
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Algeria
4-2-3-1 · Vladimir Petkovic
Goalkeeper
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Post-Match Analysis · Full Time
Lionel Scaloni's side moved to 3 points with a goal difference of 3, while Vladimir Petkovic's team remained on 0 points with a goal difference of -3 after a second straight setback in their opening campaign. For supporters in Cape Verde following the action at Wednesday 17 June, 00:00 -01, it was a clear night for the team that began from the front and kept the pressure on until the end.
The pattern was set by the scoreline itself. Algeria had one early moment taken away at the 8 minute when a goal was disallowed, and that proved as close as they came to changing the tone before Argentina settled the game with sustained control. At a venue that held 69045, the home side used their 4-4-2 structure to keep the match moving in the direction they wanted.
What stands out from the numbers is how complete Argentina's management of the game was. They won 1 and drew 0 of 1, scoring 3 and allowing 0, and the 3 points from 1 match keep them first in the section. Algeria, in Vladimir Petkovic's 4-2-3-1, have now lost 1 of 1, failed to score, and conceded 3, which leaves them fourth with 0 points. The contrast between 3 goals for Argentina and 0 for Algeria, along with a +3 goal difference against -3, explains why the table now shows such a sharp early split.
Argentina's shape and efficiency mattered as much as the final line. A 4-4-2 that produced 3 goals and a clean sheet told the story of a side that kept its spacing, won the decisive phases, and never let a 69045-crowd shift the balance away from control. Algeria's 4-2-3-1 had to absorb pressure after the disallowed effort at the 8 minute, but the game changed on Argentina's first goal at the 17 minute and never really loosened after that. With the home side now on 3 points and the away side on 0, the standings already reflect the difference in execution.
For Cape Verde fans, the match offered a straightforward late-night reference point: Argentina looked like a leader from the first whistle, and Algeria looked like a side that must respond quickly to avoid letting the gap widen further. The 3-0 score, the 3-0 ordinary-time line, and the 1-0 half-time base all point in the same direction. With World Cup Group J, Round 1 now complete for these teams, Argentina move forward from first place while Algeria have work to do from fourth.
The result leaves Argentina on 3 points and Algeria on 0, with the table already separating the two after one match.
Pre-Match Analysis · Full Time
Argentina and Algeria will begin World Cup Group J at Arrowhead Stadium with the table already telling a tight story: Algeria sit 1st, Argentina 2nd, and both sides arrive on 0 points, 0 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses. That opening balance means the first whistle will matter immediately, because there is no cushion, no early separation and no margin for a slow start in Round 1.
For Cape Verde fans following in Atlantic/Cape_Verde, the kickoff is set for Wednesday 17 June, 00:00 -01, and the local viewing options list RTC and Sport TV (PT feed). The appeal is clear even before a ball is kicked: the competition name is World Cup Group J, the round is Round 1, and the two teams begin from the same zeroed baseline that makes every first action feel potentially decisive.
Algeria come in as the team listed 1st, while Argentina are 2nd, and the second-place gap is 0 with both teams on 0 points. That is a rare kind of opening night equality, especially when the numbers beneath the positions are identical: 0 played, 0 goals for, 0 goals against and 0 goal difference for both sides. In that sense, Arrowhead Stadium will host a true reset, where status is defined only by the order on the page and nothing else yet separates the coaches or the squads.
That also places the focus on the managerial duel between Lionel Scaloni and Vladimir Petkovic. With Argentina under Lionel Scaloni and Algeria under Vladimir Petkovic, the early rhythm of this match will likely be shaped by how each coach turns a blank statistical sheet into an advantage. The standings suggest there is no gap to protect and no deficit to chase, so structure, patience and control of the first phases should matter more than any notion of momentum from previous results.
For Cape Verde readers, that makes the fixture more than a simple schedule entry: it is the start of a group campaign where Algeria and Argentina both have 0 league points and the same 0 goal difference, so the first result will immediately alter the look of World Cup Group J. With the leaders and runners-up separated by 0, every detail from Arrowhead Stadium will carry added weight from the first minute.
In a match built on a blank slate, the winner will leave Round 1 with an instant hold on the table, while the other side will already be chasing from behind in World Cup Group J. That is the stakes picture for Cape Verde fans: a level start, a late-night kickoff, and a meeting between Algeria and Argentina that can shape the order straight away.
Defending champions Argentina opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Algeria, inspired by a historic performance…
Argentina with a deserved victory after a fine display
That's it! The referee blows the final whistle
Ball possession: Argentina: 48%, Algeria: 52%.
Rayan Ait Nouri hand-balls
Rayan Ait Nouri controls the ball with his hand
Argentina take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Ball possession: Argentina: 47%, Algeria: 53%.
The ref blows his whistle. Nico Paz charged Ramy Bensebaini from behind and it's a free-kick
Aissa Mandi wins an air challenge against Julian Alvarez
Argentina are in control of the ball.
Alexis Mac Allister makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Enzo Fernandez makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Argentina take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Argentina take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Nicolas Otamendi makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
The fourth official shows there are 6 minute(s) of time to be added
The match resumes with a drop ball
Argentina are in control of the ball.
Ball possession: Argentina: 47%, Algeria: 53%.
Julian Alvarez makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Rodrigo De Paul relieves the pressure with a clearance
Nahuel Molina from Argentina intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Riyad Mahrez makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Enzo Fernandez from Argentina intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Nahuel Molina makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Riyad Mahrez takes the free-kick but it is blocked by the wall
Alexis Mac Allister is penalised for pushing Houssem Aouar
Ball possession: Argentina: 50%, Algeria: 50%.
Nico Gonzalez from Argentina intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Julian Alvarez is penalised for pushing Aissa Mandi
Facundo Medina is penalised for pushing Riyad Mahrez
Goal kick for Algeria
Ibrahim Maza is leaving the field to be replaced by Adil Boulbina in a tactical substitution.
Nabil Bentaleb is leaving the field to be replaced by Ramiz Zerrouki in a tactical substitution.
Argentina start a counter attack
Enzo Fernandez makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Argentina are in control of the ball.
Today's attendance is 69045
Ball possession: Argentina: 50%, Algeria: 50%.
The match resumes with a drop ball
Cristian Romero is leaving the field to be replaced by Nicolas Otamendi in a tactical substitution.
Lionel Messi is leaving the field to be replaced by Nico Paz in a tactical substitution.
Play has been stopped because there is a player lying on the pitch.
Julian Alvarez makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Aissa Mandi makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Argentina start a counter attack
Cristian Romero makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Thatu00e2u20acu2122s the third goal by Lionel Messi. He walks off with the ball as a reminder of his glorious hattrick.
Lionel Messi made the key pass for the goal!
Nico Gonzalez provided the assist for the goal.
G O O O A A A L - Lionel Messi from Argentina beats the keeper from outside the box with the left foot!
Argentina are trying to create something here.
Fares Chaibi is penalised for pushing Rodrigo De Paul
Nahuel Molina relieves the pressure with a clearance
Alexis Mac Allister from Argentina intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Ball possession: Argentina: 50%, Algeria: 50%.
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Argentina are in control of the ball.
Rayan Ait Nouri makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Julian Alvarez creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
Algeria are in control of the ball.
Rafik Belghali makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Nico Gonzalez wins an air challenge against Aissa Mandi
Goal kick for Argentina
The game is restarted
Ball possession: Argentina: 51%, Algeria: 49%.
Water break. It's hot out there today and the game is paused so the players can take some liquids on-board.
Houssem Aouar fails to find the target with a shot from outside the box
Facundo Medina from Argentina intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Lisandro Martinez from Argentina intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Algeria take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Lionel Messi from Argentina takes a short corner kick from the left.
Luca Zidane makes a crucial save!
Lionel Messi shoots from outside the box, but Luca Zidane has it under control
Lionel Messi tries his luck from distance but his effort ends up safely in the hands of Luca Zidane
Argentina with a potentially dangerous attack.
Alexis Mac Allister creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
Argentina take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Ball possession: Argentina: 51%, Algeria: 49%.
Mohamed Amoura from Algeria goes a bit too far there as the pulls down Cristian Romero
Aissa Mandi relieves the pressure with a clearance
Anis Hadj Moussa is leaving the field to be replaced by Riyad Mahrez in a tactical substitution.
Amine Gouiri is leaving the field to be replaced by Mohamed Amoura in a tactical substitution.
Hicham Boudaoui is leaving the field to be replaced by Houssem Aouar in a tactical substitution.
Hicham Boudaoui from Algeria goes a bit too far there as the pulls down Enzo Fernandez
Argentina are in control of the ball.
Rodrigo De Paul relieves the pressure with a clearance
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Lisandro Martinez relieves the pressure with a clearance
Cristian Romero from Argentina intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Luca Zidane with a bad execution which leads to a goal for the opponent
Lionel Messi managed to score from an easy position.
G O O O A A A L - Lionel Messi reacts first on the loose ball and puts it away with the right!
Alexis Mac Allister shoots from outside the box, but Luca Zidane has it under control
Alexis Mac Allister tries his luck from distance but his effort ends up safely in the hands of Luca Zidane
Ramy Bensebaini from Algeria intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Ball possession: Argentina: 51%, Algeria: 49%.
Ramy Bensebaini relieves the pressure with a clearance
A shot by Alexis Mac Allister is blocked
Lionel Messi from Argentina swings in the corner from the left.
Aissa Mandi from Algeria intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Argentina start a counter attack
Rodrigo De Paul makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Argentina take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Cristian Romero successfully blocks the shot
A shot by Ibrahim Maza is blocked
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Argentina take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Thiago Almada is leaving the field to be replaced by Nico Gonzalez in a tactical substitution.
Lautaro Martinez is leaving the field to be replaced by Julian Alvarez in a tactical substitution.
The referee signals a free kick as Cristian Romero from Argentina trips Amine Gouiri
Ball possession: Argentina: 54%, Algeria: 46%.
Argentina take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Ramy Bensebaini relieves the pressure with a clearance
Good effort by Lautaro Martinez as he directs a shot on target, but Luca Zidane saves it
Argentina with a potentially dangerous attack.
Lionel Messi creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
Enzo Fernandez makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Rayan Ait Nouri makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Argentina take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Aissa Mandi relieves the pressure with a clearance
Argentina start a counter attack
Rayan Ait Nouri relieves the pressure with a clearance
Lisandro Martinez relieves the pressure with a clearance
The referee signals a free kick as Cristian Romero from Argentina trips Ibrahim Maza
Goal kick for Algeria
Lionel Messi from Argentina tries to score from outside the penalty box, but the shot is nowhere near the target.
Rodrigo De Paul makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Aissa Mandi relieves the pressure with a clearance
Rafik Belghali relieves the pressure with a clearance
Argentina are trying to create something here.
Ball possession: Argentina: 52%, Algeria: 48%.
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Cristian Romero makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Algeria take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Luca Zidane relieves the pressure with a clearance
The game is restarted
The referee signals a free kick as Hicham Boudaoui from Algeria trips Lionel Messi
The play is stopped for a brief moment, as the ball was touched by the referee.
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Cristian Romero from Argentina intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Anis Hadj Moussa makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Enzo Fernandez makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Nahuel Molina relieves the pressure with a clearance
Gonzalo Montiel is leaving the field to be replaced by Nahuel Molina in a tactical substitution.
The second half is underway
The only goal scored by Argentina gives them the slight advantage as we are heading into halftime.
It's over! The referee blows for half time
Ball possession: Argentina: 56%, Algeria: 44%.
A chance presents itself to Alexis Mac Allister from Argentina but his header goes wide
The cross by Lionel Messi from Argentina successfully finds a teammate in the box.
Rafik Belghali from Algeria goes a bit too far there as the pulls down Facundo Medina
Safe hands from Emiliano Martinez as he comes out and claims the ball
Lisandro Martinez successfully blocks the shot
A shot by Anis Hadj Moussa is blocked
Algeria with a potentially dangerous attack.
Rayan Ait Nouri makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Gonzalo Montiel makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Argentina take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Argentina are in control of the ball.
Thiago Almada from Argentina intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Alexis Mac Allister from Argentina intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Fares Chaibi swings in the ball from a corner on the left, but it is nowhere near a teammate.
Lisandro Martinez relieves the pressure with a clearance
Algeria are trying to create something here.
The fourth official shows there are 4 minute(s) of time to be added
Lautaro Martinez is penalised for pushing Ramy Bensebaini
Goal kick for Argentina
Fares Chaibi from Algeria sends an effort wide of target
Fares Chaibi goes for goal, but the shot lacks precision and sails wide
Space opens up for Fares Chaibi but his finish goes wide of the target. Could have done better there.
Chance! Fares Chaibi finds some room for a shot but fails to work the keeper. It's a goal kick
Fares Chaibi from Algeria sends an effort wide of target
Fares Chaibi goes for goal, but the shot lacks precision and sails wide
Space opens up for Fares Chaibi but his finish goes wide of the target. Could have done better there.
Chance! Fares Chaibi finds some room for a shot but fails to work the keeper. It's a goal kick
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Ball possession: Argentina: 59%, Algeria: 41%.
Rafik Belghali wins an air challenge against Lautaro Martinez
Goal kick for Argentina
Fares Chaibi from Algeria tries to score from outside the penalty box, but the shot is nowhere near the target.
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Alexis Mac Allister is penalised for pushing Ibrahim Maza
Goal kick for Algeria
Thiago Almada from Argentina tries to score from outside the penalty box, but the shot is nowhere near the target.
Argentina start a counter attack
Gonzalo Montiel relieves the pressure with a clearance
Goal kick for Argentina
A chance presents itself to Fares Chaibi from Algeria but his header goes wide
The cross by Hicham Boudaoui from Algeria successfully finds a teammate in the box.
Anis Hadj Moussa from Algeria takes a short corner kick from the right.
Good effort by Fares Chaibi as he directs a shot on target, but Emiliano Martinez saves it
Nabil Bentaleb creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Ball possession: Argentina: 64%, Algeria: 36%.
Thiago Almada from Argentina is ruled offside
Argentina are trying to create something here.
Argentina take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Lisandro Martinez makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Goal kick for Algeria
Argentina start a counter attack
Gonzalo Montiel makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Facundo Medina is penalised for pushing Aissa Mandi
Goal kick for Algeria
Lionel Messi goes for goal on the direct free kick, but the shot sails wide
Rafik Belghali from Algeria goes a bit too far there as the pulls down Thiago Almada
Aissa Mandi relieves the pressure with a clearance
Argentina are trying to create something here.
Ball possession: Argentina: 64%, Algeria: 36%.
The referee signals a free kick as Amine Gouiri from Algeria trips Alexis Mac Allister
Argentina take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Nabil Bentaleb makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Argentina start a counter attack
Facundo Medina relieves the pressure with a clearance
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
The referee signals a free kick as Lionel Messi from Argentina trips Aissa Mandi
Rafik Belghali relieves the pressure with a clearance
Argentina are trying to create something here.
Argentina take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Ball possession: Argentina: 65%, Algeria: 35%.
Safe hands from Luca Zidane as he comes out and claims the ball
Argentina are in control of the ball.
Alexis Mac Allister relieves the pressure with a clearance
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
The game is restarted
Water break. It's hot out there today and the game is paused so the players can take some liquids on-board.
Ball possession: Argentina: 60%, Algeria: 40%.
Argentina are in control of the ball.
Argentina are trying to create something here.
Argentina are in control of the ball.
Algeria take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Goal kick for Argentina
Ball possession: Argentina: 63%, Algeria: 37%.
Algeria are in control of the ball.
Luca Zidane with a bad execution which leads to a goal for the opponent
Rodrigo De Paul provided the assist for the goal.
G O O O A A A L - Lionel Messi from Argentina beats the keeper from outside the box with the left foot!
Argentina with a potentially dangerous attack.
Both sides are struggling to open up the opponent's defense
Argentina are in control of the ball.
Argentina take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Algeria are in control of the ball.
Nabil Bentaleb relieves the pressure with a clearance
Ball possession: Argentina: 65%, Algeria: 35%.
Alexis Mac Allister relieves the pressure with a clearance
Algeria are in control of the ball.
Argentina are trying to create something here.
Goal kick for Argentina
Rodrigo De Paul makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Algeria take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
The referee signals a free kick as Gonzalo Montiel from Argentina trips Rayan Ait Nouri
Lautaro Martinez from Argentina goes a bit too far there as the pulls down Aissa Mandi
Nabil Bentaleb relieves the pressure with a clearance
Ball possession: Argentina: 62%, Algeria: 38%.
Argentina are trying to create something here.
Fares Chaibi from Algeria is ruled offside
NO GOAL! - After reviewing the situation, the referee announces that the goal for Algeria is revoked due to offside.
VAR - GOAL! - The referee has stopped the play. VAR check in progress, a potential goal for Algeria.
Rafik Belghali made the key pass for the goal!
Ibrahim Maza provided the assist for the goal.
G O O O O A A A L! Algeria score! Fares Chaibi is on the scoresheet.
Ibrahim Maza creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Algeria take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Argentina are trying to create something here.
Thiago Almada relieves the pressure with a clearance
Ramy Bensebaini makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Lionel Messi from Argentina is ruled offside
Lautaro Martinez creates a scoring opportunity for his teammate
Algeria take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Argentina are trying to create something here.
Ball possession: Argentina: 72%, Algeria: 28%.
Gonzalo Montiel relieves the pressure with a clearance
Algeria are in control of the ball.
Lautaro Martinez from Argentina is ruled offside
Thiago Almada wins an air challenge against Aissa Mandi
Argentina are in control of the ball.
Lionel Messi makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Nabil Bentaleb makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Algeria are trying to create something here.
Ramy Bensebaini relieves the pressure with a clearance
Argentina are in control of the ball.
Algeria are in control of the ball.
The referee signals a free kick as Enzo Fernandez from Argentina trips Anis Hadj Moussa
It's a nice warm day for playing football.
The pitch is in good condition today allowing for more technical play
Argentina kick-off, and the game is underway.
The referee starts the match
Welcome to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the match will start in about 5 minutes.
Welcome to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium where the two teams take the field for the start of this match.
Welcome to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium where we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the two teams
Welcome to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, where we await the arrival of today's teams.
Welcome to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, now all we need are the two teams.
Welcome to today's crucial game from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. We are awaiting the arrival of both teams, in anticipation of a great match!
Local broadcast partners for Cape Verde have not been confirmed at the time of writing. Check official Cape Verde broadcast partners or your local rights holder for confirmed coverage.
Argentina vs Algeria kicks off at 00:00 -01 on 17 June 2026 in Cape Verde.
Local broadcast partners for Cape Verde have not been confirmed at the time of writing. Check official Cape Verde broadcast partners or your local rights holder for confirmed coverage.
No injuries or suspensions are listed for Argentina or Algeria.
Argentina and Algeria have no recorded wins, draws, or losses in the last 8 meetings in the available data.
This is World Cup Group J, Round 1, at Arrowhead Stadium in USA.
Status
Finished
Attendance
69,045
Minute
90+1'
Winner
Argentina
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