France and Argentina open World Cup campaigns on four-match Tuesday
Day 6 features France against Senegal, Argentina against Algeria, Norway-Iraq and Austria-Jordan, with Opta backing the favourites.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
France and Argentina begin their World Cup campaigns on Tuesday, putting two of the tournament’s biggest names into action on a four-match Day 6 schedule. Al Jazeera reported that the slate also includes Norway’s first World Cup match in 28 years and Austria’s opener against Jordan.
France, the 2018 champions, face Senegal in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in a matchup that revives one of the World Cup’s best-known opening-game upsets. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi and entering as defending champions, meet Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri.
Tuesday schedule
- France vs Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium: 3pm local time, 19:00 GMT, according to Al Jazeera.
- Norway vs Iraq at Boston Stadium in Massachusetts: 6pm local time, 22:00 GMT.
- Argentina vs Algeria at Kansas City Stadium: 8pm local time, 01:00 GMT Wednesday.
- Austria vs Jordan at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium: 9pm local time, 04:00 GMT Wednesday.
France face Senegal with 2002 in the background
Al Jazeera reported that France enter the tournament third in FIFA’s world rankings, while Senegal are 16th. The teams’ only previous World Cup meeting came in 2002, when Senegal beat defending champion France 1-0 in the tournament opener.
That result, sealed by Papa Bouba Diop’s goal, set Senegal on course for the quarterfinals while France went out without a win, according to Al Jazeera. Opta’s supercomputer still gives France a clear advantage this time, putting their win probability at 64.8 percent, compared with 14.9 percent for Senegal and 20.3 percent for a draw.
Norway return against Iraq
Al Jazeera reported that Norway’s match against Iraq will be the first meeting between the countries and Norway’s first World Cup game against an Asian Football Confederation opponent. Norway are back at the tournament for the first time since 1998, with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard leading a squad that has drawn attention for Viking-themed celebrations.
Opta rates Norway as the strongest favourite of Tuesday’s early fixtures, giving them a 77.4 percent chance of beating Iraq. The model assigns a 14 percent chance to a draw and an 8.6 percent chance to an Iraq win.
Argentina start title defence against Algeria
Argentina and Algeria have not met at a World Cup, Al Jazeera reported. Their previous meeting came in a 2007 friendly at Camp Nou, where Argentina won 4-3 and Messi scored his first two international goals.
Al Jazeera reported that Argentina have won their past six World Cup matches against African teams since losing 1-0 to Cameroon in 1990. Opta’s model, after 25,000 simulations, gives Lionel Scaloni’s side a 68.2 percent chance of winning, with Algeria at 13.2 percent and a draw at 18.6 percent.
Austria favoured over Jordan
Austria enter their match against Jordan as the higher-ranked side, sitting 25th in FIFA’s standings to Jordan’s 64th, according to Al Jazeera. Opta gives Austria a 70.3 percent chance of opening with a win, while Jordan are at 12.9 percent and a draw at 16.9 percent.
Al Jazeera reported that Austria are viewed as Argentina’s main Group J challengers. Opta gives Austria an 18 percent chance of topping the group, compared with 2.9 percent for Jordan.
Other World Cup notes
Al Jazeera reported that Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw with Spain sparked celebrations among supporters, including in Boston. NBC said Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha’s Instagram following rose from 50,000 to 4.9 million after the match.
Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Uruguay after Abdulelah Alamri put the Green Falcons ahead and Maximiliano Araujo equalised late, according to Al Jazeera. Tunisia dismissed coach Sabri Lamouchi after a 5-1 loss to Sweden, with Mondher Kebaier set to take interim charge, Al Jazeera reported.
FIFA said it found no evidence that video assistant referee Shaun Evans breached its disciplinary code after an allegation that he made a white supremacist hand gesture during Germany’s opener against Curacao. Al Jazeera reported that Evans denied intending to send a racist message and said the movement was involuntary.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.