Lionel Messi will sit out Argentina's final Group J match against Jordan in Arlington, Texas, with coach Lionel Scaloni confirming he intends to rotate his squad after securing top spot. “The idea is to give most players a chance to play,” Scaloni said. “I think they deserve it and, whenever the match allows it, we will do so.” Julian Alvarez, who has struggled for fitness, could see increased minutes. “I didn’t arrive in the best shape to play the friendlies, but I feel very good now,” Alvarez said. Jordan are already eliminated from the tournament.
The United States face a similar selection headache as they prepare to face Turkey in Los Angeles, though with different stakes. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have already won Group D and are guaranteed top spot, making Thursday’s clash a dead rubber. But the US coach must balance momentum with caution: four key players – Folarin Balogun, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams and Chris Richards – are one booking away from suspension. “I think it’s an easy answer for the guys that have yellow cards,” Pochettino said. “It’s unnecessary to take a risk and then take another yellow card and be not available for the next stage. That is a little bit of a normal and easy answer to not play with them from the beginning.”
“Messi rested as Argentina rotate; USMNT face yellow-card dilemma against eliminated Turkey.”
Star forward Christian Pulisic could return after missing the victory over Australia with a calf injury. Pulisic was a livewire in the opening win against Paraguay before being substituted at half-time. The USA have been one of the standout teams of the tournament, securing back-to-back wins for the first time since 1930. They will face a high-ranked third-place side – currently Bosnia and Herzegovina – in Santa Clara next Wednesday. Turkey, perennial underachievers, are guaranteed to finish bottom of the group regardless of Thursday's result. For Pochettino, the match is less a dead rubber and more a free hit to rest and rotate ahead of the knockout stages.