Molina (hamstring) will be an option for Argentina's World Cup opener against Algeria on June 16 after recovering from the injury that had kept him out of Atletico Madrid's final three matches of the season, as manager Lionel Scaloni said "Montiel, Molina and Nico Paz are available".
Analysis:
Molina's recovery removes a potentially significant defensive concern for coach Lionel Scaloni heading into the tournament, with the right-back one of the first names in the starting lineup when fit. His combination of defensive solidity and attacking output from the right-back position makes him one of the more important players in Argentina's setup, and his availability gives the defending world champions their preferred option on that side of the defense heading into the opener.
