Defending champions Argentina will play their first FIFA World Cup match today against Algeria. In the two previous FIFA World Cups where Argentina played as defending champions, they lost their opening matches.
In the 1982 FIFA World Cup, Argentina, as defending champions, played in the opening match against Belgium at Camp Nou, eventually losing 0-1. Argentina advanced from the group stage as runners-up with two wins and one loss, but lost both matches in the second group stage and failed to reach the semifinals.
In the 1990 FIFA World Cup, Argentina again played as defending champions in the opening match against Cameroon at San Siro, also losing 0-1. Argentina advanced from the group stage as third-place finishers with one win, one draw, and one loss, then made it all the way to the final, where they lost 0-1 to West Germany.