Dibu in, Tagliafico out: Argentina's final checks before Algeria

The late Argentina-Algeria update is no longer about whether Lionel Messi can play. It is about the last two defensive choices around him.

By Tuesday morning, the picture had sharpened: Messi, Emiliano Martinez and Julian Alvarez are all available, Nicolas Tagliafico is the only confirmed Argentina absence, and Lionel Scaloni still has two selection calls that change the shape of the back line. 12

The left-back problem is the hinge. If Medina starts there, Lisandro Martinez can remain next to Cristian Romero. That keeps the center-back pairing mobile and gives Argentina a naturally left-footed defender inside. If Lisandro moves to left back, Otamendi likely comes in and Argentina gain aerial presence but lose some recovery speed.

TyC's probable XI has Emiliano Martinez; Molina or Montiel, Romero, Lisandro Martinez or Otamendi, Medina or Lisandro Martinez; De Paul, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Almada; Messi and Lautaro Martinez. 2 Infobae's live guide, updated Tuesday morning, listed a more settled version with Montiel, Romero, Lisandro and Medina across the back. 4

That difference is the story. Argentina's front six looks familiar. The real uncertainty sits behind the ball, where one injured left back can alter two positions.

The scouting note is simple: Algeria can run. TyC points to Riyad Mahrez as the headline name and says Vladimir Petkovic's side has shown fast transitions and technical quality in attack, with 1-0 and 4-0 friendly wins over the Netherlands and Bolivia. 3 Infobae adds that Mohamed Amoura led Algeria's African qualifying scoring with 10 goals and that the team averaged 2.4 goals per match in qualifying while conceding 0.8. 4

This is where Tagliafico's absence bites. Argentina usually want control through the ball, but the first bad pass into midfield will test the temporary left side. If Medina starts, his first job is not to look adventurous. It is to keep the game from becoming a Mahrez-Amoura running contest.

Argentina should still expect to have more of the ball. The warning is about field position. Lose it with both fullbacks high and Algeria's best route into the match opens.

Kickoff is 22:00 in Argentina, 20:00 in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, 19:00 in Mexico, and 03:00 Wednesday in Spain. Infobae lists the U.S. broadcast options as FOX Network, FS1, Telemundo, fuboTV and Tubi. 4 TyC lists Szymon Marciniak as the referee and Kansas City Stadium as the venue. 3

The fan mood has also moved beyond Kansas City. Infobae reported scuffles between Argentina and Algeria supporters in Times Square before the match, while noting there was no official version yet on the cause, injuries or arrests. 5 That should stay in its lane: a reminder of the heat around the opener, not a reason to lose sight of the football.

First, where does Lisandro stand when Argentina have the ball? If he is inside, Scaloni has chosen continuity. If he is wide, Otamendi's role becomes one of the match's early tells.

Second, watch Montiel or Molina's starting height. Too deep and Argentina may struggle to stretch Algeria. Too high and the transition channel behind them becomes the match's obvious risk.

Third, watch Lautaro's first two runs. If he pins the center backs early, Messi and Almada get room between the lines. If Algeria's midfield can screen that pocket, Argentina will need De Paul and Mac Allister to create the first overload from deeper areas.

Scaloni's public tone was calm for a reason: Argentina have their captain, their goalkeeper and their midfield spine. The opener now comes down to how cleanly they solve the one area that did not make it to Kansas City intact.