22/06/2026

SPORTS MONDAY | JUNE 22, 2026 28 D EFENDING CHAMPIONS Argentina can secure a spot in the World Cup 2026 knockout stage tomorrow (1am Malaysian time) when they face a resil ient Austria side in a high-stakes Group J clash at Dallas Stadium. Both teams entered the tournament with dominant opening-day performances, setting up a thrilling battle for the top spot in the group. Argentina dismantled Algeria 3-0 in their opener, highlighted by a masterclass from 38 year-old captain Lionel Messi. His clinical hat trick tied him with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. The South American giants showed no signs of complacency, combining tactical fluidity with lethal finishing to lay down a marker for the rest of the tournament. Meanwhile, Ralf Rangnick’s Austria team secured their own three points with an impres sive 3-1 victory over Jordan. The European side displayed the trademark high-octane energy that has defined their recent rise, proving they have the physical capacity to FRANCE may be the overwhelming favourites ahead of tomorrow’s (5am Malaysian time) second World Cup Group I game against Iraq but they will be bracing themselves for a big battle, France defender William Saliba said. The French, 2022 World Cup final ists and world champions four years earlier, are on three points following a 3-1 victory over Senegal. Iraq lost their opener 4-1 to group leaders Norway after a strong start to the game. “They (Iraq) have a good team and it will not be easy even if people think it might be,” Saliba told a press con ference yesterday. “They qualified, they beat Bolivia to earn their spot, they drew with Spain, and we expect a great battle.” Iraq, who drew 1-1 with Spain in a friendly days before the tournament started, have never won a World Cup match, losing all three of their group games at their only previous appear ance in 1986. They needed to play 21 qualification matches in order to earn their place in this tournament, grabbing the last available World Cup spot by beat ing Bolivia 2-1 in their intercontinen tal playoff in late March. “I think it will be a very intense match,” fellow France defender Lucas Digne said. “They are play ing to stay in the competition and so it will be a very physical match. “We know the system they will use with their 4-4-2 and their for

2026 WORLD CUP High-stakes showdown Reigning champs Argentina face Austria with last 32 spot at stake

Algeria and analysed their movements,” Alaba stated. “We respect their individual quality, but we believe our collective structure can disrupt their rhythm and create scoring opportunities.” On the selection front, Argentina will be forced to make defensive adjustments as right back Gonzalo Montiel is ruled out due to a ham string injury sustained late in the opening match. Nahuel Molina is expected to fill the defensive vacancy. For Austria, defender Stephan Posch faces a late fitness test following a broken jaw. A victory for either side tomorrow will mathe matically guarantee a berth in the newly expanded Round of 32 knockout phase, taking the pressure off their final group matches. – Agencies Do or die for Desert Foxes, Jordan MIDDLE EASTERN debutants Jordan and North African powerhouse Algeria face a high stakes, must-win battle tomorrow (11am) at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, with both nations desperate to keep their World Cup campaigns alive. Defeat for either side in this second Group J fixture could trigger an early flight home, depending on the earlier result between pool heavyweights Argentina and Austria. Having both dropped points on the open ing matchday, tomorrow’s fixture has effec tively transformed into an elimination playoff. Jordan showed plenty of attacking intent on their tournament debut but ultimately suc cumbed to a clinical 3-1 loss against Austria. Despite the defensive frailties exposed by the Europeans, Jordan carved out history when forward Ali Olwan netted the country’s first-ever World Cup goal. Ali insisted that the tournament newcom ers are fast learners and remain completely undaunted by their experienced continental rivals. “The smart one learns from his mistakes and doesn’t repeat them,” Ali told reporters. “I promise you that in the next match, God willing, we will give our best and be better.” Algeria find themselves in an identical predicament. The Desert Foxes suffered a bruising 3-0 defeat to defending champions Argentina on opening night. Furious with the officiating, the Algerian Football Federation launched a formal com plaint to Fifa, but manager Vladimir Petkovic has urged his squad to refocus entirely on the task at hand. “We need to make sure the team have that belief because we know that we can do it,” Petkovic stated firmly. “Our other two opponents in this group still need to face Argentina, so we still have our fate in our own hands.” Both managers know that tactical prag matism must be replaced by a ruthless edge to secure the vital points needed for the Round of 32 knockout stage. – AFP/Agencies

clash. “Our passing must be absolutely sharp, and we need to move the ball quickly to break their first line of intense pressure.” Austria arrives with plenty of tactical ambition under Rangnick, eager to upset the reigning global champions on the big stage. “We are not going there just to defend and watch them play,” Rangnick insisted to reporters. “Our identity is built entirely on aggression and winning the ball back high up the pitch. We want to make them uncomfortable from the very first whistle.” Austria captain David Alaba acknowledged the unique challenge of containing the South American giants but maintained total confidence. “We definitely watched their game against

disrupt any defensive system in the competition. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni remains highly cautious of Austria’s intensive playing style and structural discipline. ”Austria is a very tough team, as we’re seeing with the vast majority of the teams participating in this World Cup,” Scaloni noted during his pre match press conference. “We must control the tempo early on. If we lose focus for even a single second, their transi tion game will punish us immediately.” The Albiceleste captain echoed his coach’s focus on technical precision and spatial aware ness. “They look to suffocate you in your own half and force turnovers,” Messi warned ahead of the

Les Bleus preparing for battle: Saliba

Arsenal secure their first Premier League title in 22 years last season, but told reporters that he is not oper ating at “100%” in North America.

who sharply criticised the quality of the pitch in their first match in New York/New Jersey Stadium, are hoping for an improved version for their game in Philadelphia. “I was a bit surprised by

“I’ve had some minor nig gles for several months. I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well,” Saliba said. “The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100%, but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100% either – you can’t make excuses,” he added. – Reuters/ AFP

the quality of the pitch,” Saliba said. “The pitch felt like it was artificial and hard but we were obliged to play. “It is clear that the grass was not top. Obviously it is the same for both teams but it was not top.” Saliba said he has been “gritting his teeth” and playing through pain after suffering from a back problem for the past few months. The defender was a key figure in help ing his club

wards. It will be a very direct match and we need to be ready for that,” Digne added. Saliba and his teammates,

France’s William Saliba speaks during a press conference at Bentley University in Massachusetts ahead of the match against Iraq. – AFPPIC

Odegaard under spotlight as Norway face Senegal

edge to exploit a shaky Norwegian defence. “We watched their opening match very closely,” Mane said. “They possess individual quality, but we have the transitions, speed, and hunger to hurt them on the counter-attack if they leave gaps.” With a final group match looming against tournament favourites France, Norway coach Stale Solbakken knows slipping up against Senegal could prove fatal to their qualifi cation hopes. – AFP/Agencies

Norway’s midfield distribution network entirely. “Norway is a highly disci plined team, but they showed moments of real vulnerability when pressed quickly,” Cisse noted during his pre-match press conference. “Our objective is to close down the exact spaces where Odegaard operates and dic tate the physical battle from the first whistle.” Teranga Lions forward Sadio Mane voiced ultimate confi dence in his team’s athletic

lowing their sluggish opening display. “Many players felt they had more to give individually, and Martin would be completely honest about that too,” Hangeland realised. “We expect to look much stronger collectively in this next match.” Senegal manager Aliou Cisse plans to exploit these perceived European vulnerabilities. The African giants intend to deploy high-press tactics to suf focate Odegaard and disrupt

defence ahead of the crucial Group stage showdown in New Jersey. ”It is absolute nonsense,” defender David Moller Wolfe told reporters, dismissing the local media narrative. “Martin is one of our most important players and one of the greatest Norwegian foot ballers of all time. We know his immense value over the long term.” Norway player liaison officer Brede Hangeland conceded the squad had gears to find fol

A SCRUTINISED Norway face powerhouse Senegal tomor row (8am), hunting a World Cup knockout spot while battling intense domestic pressure over the form of captain Martin Odegaard. The Arsenal playmaker faced stinging home media criticism despite providing an assist during Norway’s opening 4-1 triumph over Iraq. Norwegian commentators labelled the midfielder “off the pace”, forcing his international teammates into a fierce public