Scaloni Faces New Dilemma Ahead of Argentina's Second World Cup Match

Argentina's national team has resumed training, and head coach Lionel Scaloni faces a fresh selection dilemma at striker. The reigning champions kicked off their World Cup campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria, and the competition for the starting forward spot once again pits Lautaro Martinez against Julian Alvarez. The starters from the opening match of the 2026 World Cup returned to the training pitch ahead of their second fixture against Austria on Monday, after a gym-only session on Wednesday. Martinez led Argentina's attack in the first game before Alvarez replaced him in the 55th minute. Julian Alvarez had been a starter prior to the tournament, but Scaloni opted for Martinez, echoing the triumphant 2022 Qatar campaign where the Inter Milan forward began as the team's primary striker, only for Alvarez to claim the position from the third match onwards.

Before the match against Algeria, Scaloni stated that the Atletico Madrid player had recovered from an ankle issue and was available. Following the game, the coach highlighted Martinez's "incredible physical work" in the opening fixture. "The coach is constantly making decisions – who plays, who doesn't, who comes in, who goes out," Lionel Scaloni commented, as quoted by Reuters, adding: "Everyone would like to play, but building a team requires 11 players, and you're looking for the ideal functioning."

Argentine media and journalists present at training believe Scaloni will likely favor Alvarez over Martinez for the match against Austria in Group J. Uncertainty also surrounds the right-back position, where Gonzalo Montiel started against Algeria, but Nahuel Molina – typically the first choice – came on at halftime. Left-back Nicolas Tagliafico also remains a doubt due to a calf injury, with Facundo Medina deputizing against Algeria. The Argentine Football Association previously reported that Tagliafico is progressing well in his recovery.