World Cup 2026: Scaloni set to ring changes for Austria despite Algeria masterclass as injuries create fresh headaches

Despite a spectacular 3-0 opening triumph implicit Algeria, Argentina volition proceed to rotate their squad up of their 2nd Group J fixture astatine World Cup 2026. Lionel Scaloni's broadside person yet to enactment unneurotic a series of games with each subordinate afloat available.

In grooming connected Friday up of Monday's 6pm BST kickoff successful Dallas against Austria, Scaloni welcomed Nicolas Tagliafico backmost into the fold. The left-back had missed the opener against Algeria, and his instrumentality meant each 26 squad members trained unneurotic for the archetypal clip astatine this World Cup.

However, according to Ole, different wounded interest has since emerged down closed doors astatine the Compass Mineral Center successful Kansas — this clip involving Gonzalo Montiel. The right-back is recovering from a muscular occupation sustained against Algeria and volition not beryllium acceptable to commencement against Austria contempt returning to radical training. With Montiel unavailable, Nahuel Molina is expected to instrumentality his place.

Argentina had been dealing with a bid of wounded issues good earlier their departure for the United States, with high-profile names including Messi, Cristian Romero, Dibu Martinez and Nico Paz among those affected. In North America, Leonardo Balerdi was forced to retreat from the squad wholly and was replaced by Marcos Senesi. Meanwhile, Leandro Paredes, Molina and Montiel were each moving done fittingness concerns of their own. In the opener, Molina — already recovered — took his spot successful the starting XI, with Facundo Medina filling successful for Tagliafico.

Argentina expected to marque changes against Austria

Despite having astir each players available, Scaloni inactive has decisions to marque astir the XI that volition instrumentality the tract successful Dallas. Tagliafico's engagement remains 1 of the cardinal uncertainties.

The left-back whitethorn yet beryllium rested and held backmost for the last radical crippled against Jordan, adjacent though helium has been grooming alongside his team-mates — a affirmative awesome for the coaching staff. For now, Medina is expected to clasp the left-back berth for astatine slightest 1 much game.

At right-back, Molina returns successful spot of Montiel, who successful summation to his wounded was substituted astatine fractional clip against Algeria without convincing. The River Plate antheral should diagnostic from the bench, according to TyC Sports.

Another imaginable alteration involves the attack. Julian Alvarez could travel into the starting lineup, competing with Lautaro Martinez for the centre-forward spot. The Inter Milan striker had started against Algeria — partially owed to a insignificant wounded suffered by Alvarez — with the Atletico Madrid antheral introduced arsenic a substitute successful the 2nd half. In training, Scaloni has kept Martinez among the starters but has repeatedly tested Alvarez successful assorted drills, suggesting a alteration remains possible.

In midfield, either Leandro Paredes oregon Exequiel Palacios could gain a starting berth. According to ESPN Argentina, Scaloni's coaching unit consciousness the request to research variations successful that country of the pitch. Palacios holds a flimsy edge, fixed that his rival has lone conscionable returned from injury.

There is besides a imaginable further tweak. According to Ole, Saturday's league has revealed that Thiago Almada is nary longer a guaranteed starter, arsenic Nico Gonzalez has entered the coaching staff's reasoning for a spot successful the XI against Austria. That alteration could let Gonzalez to run successful a left-sided relation and supply further enactment for Medina astatine left-back.

The Austria threats that interest Scaloni

A triumph for Argentina connected Monday would seal their spot successful the circular of 32, and they are already alert of wherever Austria could origin them the astir problems. According to Ole, the close broadside of Austria's signifier is the biggest interest for Scaloni, with Stefan Posch and Konrad Laimer identified arsenic the main headache.

David Alaba is different subordinate who could complicate matters for the Albiceleste. The 33-year-old is an automatic starter and the astir talented fig successful Ralf Rangnick's squad. Alaba has been operating arsenic a 2nd centre-back for Austria and, contempt a hard injury-plagued run past season, remains the cardinal fig successful this team.

Finally, Marcel Sabitzer represents Austria's superior attacking threat. The 32-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder — who has besides had spells astatine Bayern Munich and Manchester United — is the main originative outlet Rangnick's broadside volition trust upon successful Dallas.