Argentina Predicted Lineup vs Austria in Group J

Argentina face Austria in their second group match on Monday at 6:00pm. The defending champions made an ideal start to their campaign, defeating Algeria 3–0 on Wednesday. Lionel Messi’s hat-trick saw him join Miroslav Klose as the joint leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history and left his manager speechless. Lionel Scaloni said: “I’m at a loss for words about Leo. What can I say? He’s incredible.” Messi will be searching for a 17th goal to break the tie with Klose and secure another vital win for La Albiceleste. Three points for Scaloni’s side would secure qualification for the knockout stages.

Here is the latest Argentina team news for the important Group J clash.

Argentina Predicted Lineup vs Austria: Latest Updates for Reigning Champions

Argentina Team News

Gonzalo Montiel has been dealing with a hamstring issue and his status is uncertain.

Nicolas Tagliafico will also need to be assessed further. The left-back has been suffering from a calf injury which sidelined him for the Algeria encounter.

Argentina Recent Tactics and Starters

Lionel Scaloni stuck with the familiar 4-3-3 that has served him well during his tenure. The industrious midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo De Paul, who all started the 2022 final, is a near certainty to start again. Their workrate, alongside the defensive-minded full-back pairing of Gonzalo Montiel and Facundo Medina, tends to allow Messi to conserve his energy and influence the game with the ball.

Scaloni’s selection dilemma, however, will centre around the full-back positions. Montiel’s knock could see Nahuel Molina given a starting berth. Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez are expected to continue their central pairing. In the attacking area, Thiago Almada and Lautaro Martinez face close competition from Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Gonzalez, who showed promise from the bench, the latter providing the assist for Messi’s final goal.