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All fixtures

World Cup — Group A

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Argentina

Away

3 – 1

Algeria

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Argentina vs Algeria match poster

Date

Jun 13, 2026

Kick-off

20:00 UTC

Venue

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Competition

World Cup — Group A

Match brief

Argentina face Algeria at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta on Saturday, Jun 13 · 20:00. Full coverage — lineups, live updates and post-match reaction — will appear on this page as the match approaches.

AwayFull-time

Argentina opened their 2026 World Cup defence with a 3–1 win over Algeria in Atlanta, Messi scoring twice as La Albiceleste took control of Group A.

Storylines

  • Julián Álvarez set the tone with an 18th-minute opener after a one-two with Messi.
  • Riyad Mahrez briefly dragged Algeria back into the contest with a curling effort.
  • Messi sealed it on 71 minutes — his 110th international goal in tournament football.

Player to watch

Lionel Messi

Captain · #10

Two goals and an assist on opening night — the standard-setter from the first whistle.

Head to head

5

Played

3

Argentina

1

Draws

1

Algeria

Team sheets

Confirmed lineups

Argentina

Lionel Scaloni

4-3-3
  1. 23Emiliano MartínezGK
  2. 4Gonzalo MontielRB
  3. 13Cristian RomeroCB
  4. 19Nicolás OtamendiCB
  5. 3Nicolás TagliaficoLB
  6. 7Rodrigo De PaulCM
  7. 5Leandro ParedesCM
  8. 20Alexis Mac AllisterCM
  9. 11Ángel Di MaríaRW
  10. 9Julián ÁlvarezST
  11. 10Lionel MessiRW

Algeria

Vladimir Petković

4-3-3
  1. 23Raïs M'BolhiGK
  2. 2Aïssa MandiRB
  3. 5Ramy BensebainiCB
  4. 6Houssem AouarCB
  5. 3Youcef AtalLB
  6. 8Nabil BentalebCM
  7. 13Ismaël BennacerCM
  8. 14Sofiane FeghouliRW
  9. 10Riyad MahrezAM
  10. 11Yassine BrahimiLW
  11. 9Baghdad BounedjahST

Match timeline

How it unfolded

  1. KO

    Kick-off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

  2. 18'Argentina

    Julián Álvarez finishes a Messi one-two.

  3. 43'Argentina

    Messi converts from the penalty spot.

  4. HT

    Half-time: Argentina 2 — 0 Algeria.

  5. 55'Algeria

    Mahrez curls one in from the edge of the box.

  6. 71'Argentina

    Messi slots a low finish into the corner.

  7. FT

    Full-time: Argentina 3 — 1 Algeria.

Full report

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