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'Playing at a very good level' - Scaloni defends De Paul's MLS move

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Rodrigo De Paul stunned plenty of Argentina fans when he decided to leave Atletico Madrid for Inter Miami with the World Cup less than a year away, but national team manager Lionel Scaloni backed the midfielder’s move to Major League Soccer, stressing he is more concerned with performance than club address.

Argentina vs Algeria: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

The defending champions kick off their campaign today - follow it live with GOAL

Messi's hat trick ties all-time WC goals record in emphatic win

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Argentina's World Cup title defence began nervously before Lionel Messi reminded everyone he is Lionel Messi. The 38-year-old scored a hat trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria before 69,045 fans at Kansas City Stadium. Messi's three-goal performance also moved him level with Miroslav Klose on 16 career World Cup goals, with Klose having reached the mark in fewer matches.

Watch for FREE: Argentina vs Algeria FIFA World Cup 2026 $0 guide

Find out how to catch the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup clash without paying a dime.

Argentina v Iceland - International Friendly

‘Why not?’ - Messi has the ‘magic’ for second World Cup win

Lionel Messi possesses the magic to lead Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup title following their 2022 triumph in Qatar. Former team-mate Pablo Zabaleta believes the veteran forward is perfectly supported by his national and Inter Miami colleagues, allowing him to save his energy for crucial moments. Zabaleta says the current tactical setup is ideal for the GOAT.

Argentina vs Algeria predictions: Defending champions land early win

Get three Argentina vs Algeria predictions from our soccer expert, before Tuesday’s 9:00pm ET World Cup clash (6/16).

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
10	Mainz 05	34	10	10	14	44	53	-9	40	W L W L D
11	Union Berlin	34	10	9	15	44	58	-14	39	W W D L L
12	Borussia Moenchengladbach	34	9	11	14	42	53	-11	38	W L W D D
13	Hamburger SV	34	9	11	14	40	54	-14	38	D W W L L
14	FC Koeln	34	7	11	16	49	63	-14	32	L L D L D

'Playing at a very good level' - Scaloni defends De Paul's MLS move

Argentina vs Algeria: Stream, TV channels & where to watch

Messi's hat trick ties all-time WC goals record in emphatic win

Watch for FREE: Argentina vs Algeria FIFA World Cup 2026 $0 guide

‘Why not?’ - Messi has the ‘magic’ for second World Cup win

Argentina vs Algeria predictions: Defending champions land early win

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