Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph was the crowning moment of Lionel Messi’s career. It ended years and years of his detractors saying he could never be as good as Diego Maradona without success in world soccer’s biggest tournament, and propelled La Albiceleste back to the top of the mountain after a 36-year drought.
Understandably, Argentina are heavy favorites to start against Algeria with a win, having dominated in CONMEBOL qualifying. It won 12 of his 18 matches, drawing two and losing four, and finished nine points clear of nearest challengers Ecuador. Argentina are currently on a seven-match winning streak under Lionel Scaloni.
