Lautaro Martínez made the first chance and then came off, and Argentina now waits for Lionel Scaloni’s choice against Austria. The coach will decide whether Martínez, Julián Álvarez, or both lead the attack after the 3-0 win over Argelia in the opening match of group J.
Martínez started against Argelia and met Messi’s service with a header three minutes after kickoff, the first scoring chance for Argentina in the World Cup. He left after 55 minutes, with Julián Álvarez taking his place.
Scaloni and the two forwards
Scaloni had already said before the debut that Álvarez had recovered from an ankle problem and was available: “tuvo el problema en el tobillo, pero ha dado fruto su recuperación y para mañana está disponible y es opción”. That left Argentina with two usable center-forward options instead of one, and the lineup against Austria is still waiting on Monday’s official release.
The split is not new. In the South American qualifiers between 2023 and 2025, Álvarez started 10 matches, Martínez started two, and both began together in six. The pattern gives Scaloni room to change the shape of the attack without changing the rest of the team.
Argentina's scoring options
The form behind the choice is strong on both sides. Martínez finished Serie A with 17 goals, added one in the final of the Copa Italia, and scored four in the Liga de Campeones de la UEFA as Inter de Milán won Serie A and the Copa Italia. Álvarez posted eight goals in 29 La Liga de España matches, two in the Copa del Rey, and 10 in 15 Liga de Campeones de la UEFA matches for Atlético de Madrid.
Argentina has also used both in big matches before. In the Copa América de 2024, Álvarez started two group-stage matches, the semifinal, and the final, while Martínez started one group-stage match and the quarterfinal. Martínez then entered that final in the 97th minute and scored the title-winning goal in the 112th.
Monday in Dallas
Argentina can lock up first place in group J and a place in the round of 16 as group leader with a win against Austria on Monday in Dallas. The leader of group J will play the runner-up of group H, so Scaloni’s call is not just about one match; it sets the attacking plan for the route out of the group.
Friday’s training at the Sporting KC Training Centre put Martínez and Álvarez together again before the lineup decision. For Argentina, the important detail is simple: both are available, both have recent big-match records, and the official answer comes on Monday.
