Group J
ARG

Argentina

Coach: Lionel Scaloni
Group rank
1
Points
9
Played
3
Goal diff.
7
Status
Qualified from group
Fixtures
By date
Fixtures / results
Wed, Jun 17
ArgentinavsAlgeria
FT 3-0
Group J
Mon, Jun 22
ArgentinavsAustria
FT 2-0
Group J
Sun, Jun 28
JordanvsArgentina
FT 1-3
Group J
Fri, Jul 3
ArgentinavsCape Verde
FT 3-2
Round of 32
Tue, Jul 7
ArgentinavsEgypt
FT 3-2
Round of 16
Sun, Jul 12
ArgentinavsSwitzerland
FT 3-1
Quarter-final
Wed, Jul 15
EnglandvsArgentina
FT 1-2
Semi-final
Sun, Jul 19
SpainvsArgentina
FT 1-0
Final
Countries
Groups overview
Group J
1ARGQ
PL 33-0-0GF 8-1GD 7PTS 9
2AUTQ
PL 31-1-1GF 6-6GD 0PTS 4
3ALGQ
PL 31-1-1GF 5-7GD -2PTS 4
4JOROut
PL 30-0-3GF 3-8GD -5PTS 0
#TeamPLWDL+/-GDPTSStatus
1Argentina33008-179Qualified
2Austria31116-604Qualified
3Algeria31115-7-24Qualified
4Jordan30033-8-50Out
Nation lens
Identity1 / 4
N1 · Identity
balanced · possession-leaning

How they play

Argentina maintains a balanced, possession-oriented tactical identity. With 64.7% possession and a disciplined 10.9 PPDA, they control the tempo while relying on a distributed scoring threat led by Julián Álvarez. This structured approach allows them to consistently generate positive expected goal differentials against varied opposition.

Playing identity · system ↔ individual × direct ↔ possession
SystemIndividualPossessionDirectSystem-builtpossessionStar-ledpossessionPress-and-transitionStar-ledcounter-attackersARG

Argentina is plotted from possession share and top-scorer concentration. PPDA and recent form are supporting context when present.

+Recent form8 · 7W 0D 1L
2026-07-19World Cup 2026AARG 0-1 ESPL
2026-07-15World Cup 2026AARG 2-1 ENGW
2026-07-12World Cup 2026HARG 3-1 SUIW
2026-07-07World Cup 2026HARG 3-2 EGYW
2026-07-03World Cup 2026HARG 3-2 CPVW
2026-06-28World Cup 2026AARG 3-1 JORW
2026-06-22World Cup 2026HARG 2-0 AUTW
2026-06-17World Cup 2026HARG 3-0 ALGW
International friendly matches are excluded
N2 · Scoring
open play 84%

How they score

Argentina relies heavily on open play to generate their scoring output. With over 84% of their goals originating from open play, the team demonstrates a superior conversion rate compared to the field average. Their attacking efficiency is further bolstered by a clinical approach that consistently turns open-play opportunities into goals.

Goal source · share of play-type-classified goals
84.2%
Open play84.2%Counter5.3%Corner5.3%Free kick5.3%
11% set piececorner + free kick
Effectiveness · conversion by source vs benchmark
Open play25%avg 20%+5 pts
51 goals from 207 shots.
Set piece6.9%avg 4.5%+2 pts
6 goals from 87 shots.
benchmark average higher than field by 3+ pts lower than field by 3+ pts
Goal-source shares use non-own-goal rows with source_class values; own goals are excluded.
+Top scorers · still a threat?100% intact

100% of listed scorer goals come from players still marked in the squad.

Julián Álvarezin squad11 · 15%
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittiniin squad11 · 15%
Lionel Messiin squad8 · 11%
Lautaro Javier Martínezin squad6 · 8%
N3 · Conceding
open play 71%

How they concede

Argentina is most vulnerable to goals originating from open play. With over 71% of their conceded goals coming from open play, opponents may find success by prioritizing fluid attacking transitions. While their overall defensive record remains strong, maintaining concentration during sustained open-play pressure is essential to limiting their exposure.

Conceded goal source · share of play-type-classified goals
71.4%
19%
Open play71.4%Counter4.8%Corner4.8%Free kick19%
24% set piece concededcorner + free kick
Effectiveness · conceded conversion by source vs benchmark
Open play14%avg 20%-5 pts
16 conceded from 112 shots faced.
Set piece7.8%avg 4.5%+3 pts
5 conceded from 64 shots faced.
benchmark average lower than field by 3+ pts higher than field by 3+ pts
Conceded source shares use non-own-goal rows with source_class values.
N4 · Big moments
beats ranking · +0.85 GD residual

Better than their rating?

Argentina consistently outperforms their Elo-based expectations. With a positive goal difference residual of 0.85, they demonstrate a capacity to exceed statistical projections against both high-ranked rivals and lower-tier opponents. Their performance profile suggests a higher degree of reliability than the field median.

Over-performance DNA · beats-its-rating × reliability, the tournament field
Beats rating -><- Falls shortVolatile ^Reliable vHigh-ceilingwildcardVolatileunderachieverReliablyoverdeliversReliablybelow par-1.7-0.90+0.9+1.70.81.41.92.5Beats its Elo rating by (goals/match) ->ESPNORHAICODARG
ARGTournament field · 48solid line = rating-neutral · dashed = field-median reliability100 Elo ~= -0.37 goals
+Biggest over- & under-performances43 matches
Residual = actual goal difference minus what the Elo gap predicted.
vs BOL · 2024-10-16GD +6 vs exp +0.99+5.01
vs BRA · 2025-03-26GD +3 vs exp -0.44+3.44
vs CRO · 2022-12-13GD +3 vs exp +0.07+2.93
vs CRO · 2018-06-21GD -3 vs exp +0.08-3.08
vs KSA · 2022-11-22GD -1 vs exp +0.92-1.92
vs URU · 2023-11-17GD -2 vs exp -0.10-1.90