Argentina opened the 2026 World Cup with a dominant 3-0 win over Algeria, powered by a Lionel Messi hat trick. Assistant coach and former Argentina star Pablo Aimar said in a FIFA interview that the team was pleased to start well, unlike at the previous World Cup, but warned that calm is never complete during a tournament.
Aimar said Messi’s performance showed a player, not just a footballer, operating at the highest level. He also stressed the importance of team bonding in a high-pressure World Cup, saying the squad is trying to create memories beyond results. “If you do not enjoy it, you wasted 40 days of your life,” he said, adding that atmosphere matters because the players are also spending part of their lives together.
Argentina now turns to a much tougher Group-stage match on Monday against Austria in Dallas. Aimar described Austria as “a very tough team,” with a different style from Algeria, more physical and direct, and said it would be just as difficult.
Coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to adjust the lineup to match the new opponent. In attack, Lautaro Martinez is likely to keep his place alongside Messi, while Julian Alvarez, still not fully fit, is expected to come off the bench again in the second half. Thiago Almada may lose his spot, with Nicolas Gonzalez or Giuliano Simeone considered for the left side, or possibly a more defensive midfielder such as Exequiel Palacios or Leandro Paredes. In defense, Nahuel Molina is expected to replace Gonzalo Montiel at right-back, while Facundo Medina should continue on the left to avoid rushing back the injured Nicolas Tagliafico.
