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I'm tapped into the World Cup. I'm tapped into Argentina as they're trying to do something that only two teams have ever done before. That's when back-to- back World Cups. Italy did it in 1934 and 38 and then Brazil in 1958 and 62. Now you have La Alvis Celestee now trying that title defense in Kansas City this evening against Algeria. All the attention of course will be on what kind of heroics Messi can draw up. But you look at group J and certainly pretty favorable according to the odds of FanDuel. Minus 250 to win the group. Then Austria at plus 380. Jordan and Algeria much tougher odds. Austria and Jordan will play tonight. That game is at midnight Eastern. I won't be up that late. Lisa Carlin
though is up early with us this morning to get ready for the day of all the action in the World Cup. And let's begin with Argentina, Lisa, who have won their last three major tournaments they've played in, but repeating, as I mentioned, is not something we've really seen too often at the World Cup. Can you handicap for me their chances of repeating? Yeah, I mean, the chance is always there. You look at this Argentina squad on paper and comparatively to the last World Cup in 2022 in Qar, 17 of the players are the same from the 26 that won just four years ago. So, you'd think
the odds are pretty good. The players, they've been here before. They understand what it takes. They also have a target on their back. And when you're a nation that is looking to win a World Cup for your star player, the GOAT Messi, which is exactly what Argentina was doing four years ago, you have that internal passion and drive as well. Things have changed a little bit for Argentina now because of some of the changes in their roster. The biggest one being Angel Di Maria no longer on this squad. He announced his retirement from the international game. So he is a key factor in a missing piece for Argentina that they did have in Qar in 2022. But that is just one of the 11 players that
started the final four years ago against France. That is different. Otherwise, it's the same winning championship team that Argentina rolls out tonight. The same Messi who is now 38 years old. So obviously father time adding to him as we get to this rendition of the World Cup. Does it feel like this is his last ride with Argentina? All signs are pointing that way for Messi that this is going to be his last trip. I mean, it's already a record sixth World Cup for this player. And after he won it four years ago, a lot of people thought Messi, the goat, was
going to hang up his boots ahead of this World Cup, but absolutely not. He's still scoring goals. He's still in what a lot would call his prime. But when we look ahead to this World Cup and what we expect from Argentina, his role might be a little different than it has been in World Cups past, he may be more of a role player at times coming off the bench, looking at minute restrictions and also as a way to conserve Messi for later on in the tournament when they're playing knockout round football and it's win or go home. This group stage phase is super important. It starts today in this match against Algeria.
They need to pick up three points. They have to set themselves on the right track to finish first in their group, but then they might be able to coast a little bit depending on how the game goes. A lot of it comes down to goal differential. So, I'm expect management from Messi. But anytime he steps on the pitch, you're going to get magic. You're going to get something that you haven't seen before. He encourages the players around him to play with so much freedom and confidence. It's an absolute game changer for Argentina to have Messi on the pitch. Obviously, all the attention will go towards Messi despite his age right now, but it is not just him on the roster. That's a star player. Who else should folks be aware of when they look at Argentina?
Oh, there's plenty of players to look at for Argentina, specifically the core in the midfield with um Depal and Enzo Fernandez and McAllister. These are three players that started the final in the World Cup 2022 against France and they have just continued to play together. It's almost a band of brothers with that trio. They are so in sync and on the same page, interchanging, reading each other's movements, moving forward. So, you have to watch them up top. Lataro Martinez, who in Syria this past year, he led the goal scoring with 17 goals at Inter Milan. He is so key for how Argentina want to attack, moving forward, creating space. But it's not just about the players that have already
won a World Cup and been on the international stage. There are some young guns on this Argentina squad you have to look out for. Nico Paz, a young 21-year-old. He plays for Ko in an attacking midfield role. He's going to come off the bench for Argentina, be a spark plug for them in what they do moving forward. He is so creative on the ball. He wants to combine well. He'll make late runs into the box to contribute to Argentina's scoring prowess. Lisa, you mentioned how important it is for Argentina to get the three points tonight. They obviously will face Algeria. What should we know about Algeria?
Yeah, there's plenty to know about this nation. It's their first time back in a World Cup since 2014, but don't sleep on this team because in 2014, they made it all the way to the round of 16. They're two-time African champions. They have done a really good job in the buildup to this World Cup. They've lost just one of their last 24 matches. Now, if you look at the competition that they played, it wasn't the most difficult. However, in their leadup, the a couple of friendlies right before the World Cup started, they drew with Uruguay and then they beat the Netherlands. So, there is an element of defensive organization that Algeria has because they're coming into this game off of four clean sheets.
They know how to sit back, re be really compact defensively, and make their opposition work for goalcoring chances. Now, when you look at Argentina and how they're going to do against that really tough defense, they're going to have to work a little bit, move the ball around, but Algeria is not afraid to play without the ball, concede possession at times, and then once they do pick up the ball, look to go really quickly in transition. It is not going to be an easy game for Argentina. So then with that in mind, Lisa, we look back to four years ago. Argentina lost their opening match of the World Cup to Saudi Arabia 2 to1. I say that to then kind of remind the people as you look towards tonight what happens then? Is it
a win, loss, or draw for Argentina? Oh, you know that every single Argentina player is remembering that open match of 2022 and that loss that propelled them on to winning the final of the World Cup. But they don't want to start this World Cup like that. It's going to be a battle against Algeria in how they score goals. It's going to take a little bit to unlock this defense, but ultimately I do think Argentina is gonna get the job done. So, I'm gonna go 2-1. A win for the reigning champs, but they are going to concede a goal in this opening match. Three points for Argentina to start off.
They certainly will be very happy with that. Thank you so much, Lisa Carlin. Looking forward to all the action today and looking forward to tapping back in with all the fine folks over there at the Galazo Network who have you covered for the World Cup. Brandon, they stream 24/7 for how much? Free.99. Free 999 is the answer. Home of the world's game. Tap in to the crew.
