Argentina tops World Cup group, advances to Round of 16

Argentina has advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup, securing first place in Group J after a hard-fought victory against Austria. This achievement, combined with Algeria's win over Jordan, guarantees their progression to the Round of 16.

Coach Lionel Scaloni expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance and the opportunity this presents. He had previously indicated a desire to rotate the squad if favorable results allowed, and now has the chance to implement this strategy. This could mean valuable playing time for players who have yet to feature in the tournament, while also managing the physical condition of key players who may be carrying weariness or minor injuries.

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Hopefully, we get a good result in the next [match, with Austria], so in the third one we can rotate.

"Everyone wants to participate. The idea is to give the majority the chance to play. We will analyze it. If the game allows, we will do it," Scaloni commented regarding his rotation plans for the upcoming match.

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Everyone wants to participate. The idea is to give the majority the chance to play. We will analyze it. If the game allows, we will do it.

The team now awaits the conclusion of Group H matches to discover their next opponent. They will face the second-placed team from a group comprising Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia. The Round of 16 clash is scheduled for July 3 in Miami.

Attention also remains on the fitness of defender Cristian 'Cuti' Romero, who was replaced during the match against Austria due to a knee issue. Scaloni noted that the extent of Romero's injury is currently unknown, and further medical examinations are pending. The coach highlighted the importance of having depth in the squad, mentioning Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, and Romero as key figures in the defense.

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We don't know the extent of his issue. It's something he's been dealing with, and we hope it's nothing serious. It's always better when everyone is well, and they will do tests tomorrow or the day after.