Why is Thiago Almada benched for Argentina vs Egypt in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16?
(Courtesy : Getty)
Thiago Almada was named among the substitutes for the Argentina vs Egypt match tonight.
Argentina take on Egypt in a Round of 16 fixture in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 7. The defending champions are the heavy favourites for tonight’s match against the Pharaohs and have named a strong starting lineup. However, some big names are missing from the playing XI, including Atletico Madrid midfielder Thiago Almada.
With Almada out of the starting lineup, head coach Lionel Scaloni shifted Enzo Fernandez to the right side of midfield, with Rodrigo De Paul starting on the left. Leandro Paredes comes into the lineup and starts in the middle along with Alexis Mac Allister.
Up top, Lionel Messi is paired with Julian Alvarez, with the latter coming in place of Lautaro Martinez. Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero are the centre-back pairings, with Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico as full-backs. Emiliano Martinez starts between the sticks.
Also Read: Argentina starting lineup vs Egypt confirmed
Why is Thiago Almada benched?
Before tonight’s match, there were indications that Scaloni would not keep Almada in the starting lineup, as first reported by journalist Gaston Edul.
Almada, who is essentially an attacking number 10 at Atletico Madrid, played as a wide midfielder for La Albiceleste. He was solid in the first two matches in the expanded 48-team World Cup in North America, but had a dramatic drop-off in form in the last two games.
With Almada underperforming, the wide areas were left vacant, allowing the opposition wingers more time and space on the flanks. La Albiceleste were also struggling to press the opposition, as was evident in the match against Cape Verde.
As a result, Scaloni has opted for Paredes in midfield. The Boca Juniors player is much more comfortable on the ball and will be key in breaking down the stubborn Egyptian defence. Fernandez, meanwhile, will be a nuisance down the right flank.
Why was Thiago Almada benched vs Egypt?
Almada was benched due to a dip in form in Argentina’s last two matches, where his wide positioning left gaps exploited by opposition wingers.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.