Argentina Predicted Lineup vs. Jordan: World Cup Group J

Argentina Predicted Lineup vs. Jordan: World Cup Group J
The holders are already safely through to the round of 32 as group winners.James Cormack|
Lionel Messi continues to do Lionel Messi things, and as long as Lionel Messi continues to do Lionel Messi things, Argentina has as good a chance as any to win the World Cup.
The holders are out to make history in North America, with no nation since Brazil in 1962 retaining the trophy. Few backed Lionel Scaloni’s side pre-tournament, but Messi’s magic has converted plenty of doubters.
Five goals from the magic man and two victories mean Argentina is safely through to the round of 32 as Group J winners with a game to spare. That should allow Scaloni to rest and rotate on Matchday 3 against Jordan, with Argentina surely having enough to prevail against the debutants in the absence of a few figureheads.
Here’s how the holders could line up against the eliminated Jordanians on Saturday evening.
Argentina Predicted XI vs. Jordan

Pick Your Argentina XI!
GK: Emiliano Martínez—While this is an opportunity for the manager to offer minutes to fringe roster members, Scaloni could retain his No. 1 goalkeeper.
RB: Gonzalo Montiel—The man who produced the winning moment in Qatar, Montiel has since embarked on a fairly muted club career. Still, he made Scaloni’s 26, and the steady rightback could replace Nahuel Molina.
CB: Nicolás Otamendi—Cristian Romero insisted that all is well after picking up a knock in the 2–0 win over Austria. Still, no chances will be taken ahead of the knockouts, with veteran Otamendi earning his first start of this summer‘s tournament.
CB: Lisandro Martínez—Martínez‘s left-footedness and excellent passing ability has improved Argentina’s build-up play from Qatar. The Manchester United man has a great rapport with Romero and will be imperative as the tournament progresses. He could play an hour on Saturday.
LB: Nicolás Tagliafico—Firmly second choice as a result of Facundo Medina’s impressive start to the tournament, this will likely be Tagliafico’s only start of the World Cup.
RM: Rodrigo De Paul—De Paul hasn’t skipped a beat despite escaping the competitiveness of Europe’s top-five leagues. He’s one of many in Scaloni’s roster who raise their game once the national team calls.
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CM: Leandro Paredes—A sublime passer and an excellent fit for what Argentina want to achieve in possession, Paredes is poised to offer Alexis Mac Allister respite.
CM: Enzo Fernández—Fernández was a burgeoning talent in Qatar. Now, he‘s the finished product and a key leader.
LM: Thiago Almada—Almada’s clever dummy allowed Messi to score a record-breaking 17th World Cup goal in the first half against Austria. He’s a canny operator who primarily operates inside and contributes to Argentina’s short central combinations.
ST: Nico González—A useful outlet in the air, González offers an alternative threat in attack. After appearing off the bench last time out, Scaloni could turn to the athletic 28-year-old against Jordan.
ST: Julián Álvarez—After dropping a huge transfer bomb following Argentina‘s Matchday 2 win, Álvarez, who’s building up his fitness after recovering from an ankle injury, seems ready for his first start. His increased influence should reduce La Albiceleste’s reliance on Messi.
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Published 1 minute ago | Modified 1 minute ago
JAMES CORMACKJames Cormack is a freelancer soccer writer for Sports Illustrated FC. An expert on Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, he follows Italian and German soccer, taking particular interest in the work of Antonio Conte & Julian Nagelsmann.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'

Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming

Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'