Why Argentina can be world champions

-This will be the sixth World Cup final in Argentina’s history

-Messi the trump card in a group focused on playing as a team

-Scaloni’s squad have overcome all the problems they have faced en route to the final

Argentina have demonstrated a wide range of abilities and resources on their way to the final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, with La Albiceleste meeting a variety of challenges over the course of the competition with belief, confidence and hope. Lionel Scaloni’s men have been able to overcome the most difficult moments by virtue of an enormous resistance to adversity and a surprising tactical versatility, which have left Argentina standing while others have fallen before Lionel Messi and company.

Yet this Argentina team is much more than its No10. And perhaps this is the biggest difference between this side and those from the last few World Cups. Scaloni has a squad prepared to work with each other and with one of the biggest difference-makers in football history. The soloist applies the finer touches, but the chorus is vital to the finished piece. The coach’s willingness to make changes in-game, the importance of substitutes, plus emotional toughness and tactical diversity have been key factors carrying Argentina to their sixth World Cup final.

Messi's presence

Nothing and nobody is more decisive than Messi, however. When we analyse Argentina’s strengths, the No10 is top of the list. In Leo, La Albiceleste has something that no other team has, something difficult to counteract, a piece who will control the game in whichever way he chooses. And Messi has decided that this is his moment, the moment he has awaited for so long.

When the spiritual heir of Diego Maradona takes control of the ball, everyone expects things to happen for Argentina. In possession, Messi leaves team-mates, opponents and fans throughout the world open-mouthed and rubbing their eyes in disbelief at what they just saw. Argentina begin to dream, while fear takes hold of their opponents.

In the final World Cup of his legendary career, fate had dictated that Messi would have a final to play in, and he was not in the mood to pass up on the opportunity. The ‘Messi factor’ is reason enough to believe that Argentina can lift the Trophy at Qatar 2022. The diminutive genius feels at ease and has found the perfect strike partner in Julian Alvarez, who has nailed down his place in the team over the course of the tournament, owing to his opportunism, his goals and his ability to take advantage of the space generated by Messi drawing defenders away from his colleagues.

The supporting cast and the changing system

Leo decides, the others decide how. If Messi has the key, the rest will do everything possible to ensure it ends up turning in the lock and opening the door to success. Scaloni has been able to surround the main man with the perfect supporting cast. The Argentina team in Qatar have been a united and supportive group: great actors who have understood their roles at every stage.

At different points of the tournament, La Albiceleste have found in Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister or the aforementioned Julian Alvarez, players able to stand up and be counted when their team have needed them.

Scaloni has been able to adapt to whatever situation he has faced, varying his formation and tactics according to the demands of the game. At times he has even started players who were expected to be little more than bit-part performers in the squad.

When the opponents’ strengths meant he needed to play five at the back, the Argentina coach was able to change the formation while maintaining the team’s dynamism and movement, with and without the ball. When keeper Martinez had to be a giant, he was, and when Nahuel Molina had to finish with precision, he did. When Enzo Fernandez was required to give the midfield the quality it needed, Scaloni did not hesitate to name him in the starting line-up. Likewise when Mac Allister was the right man to bring more intensity to the team.

Mental strength and crushing intensity

The tournament did not begin in the best possible way for Argentina. The defeat against Saudi Arabia triggered some of La Albiceleste’s worst World Cup memories and the ghosts of previous editions.

Nevertheless, Scaloni’s men have been able to face up to pressure and adversity, relying on their confidence, their character and their personality. Far from being downhearted, Argentina picked themselves up after every one of the setbacks that came their way, putting their mental strength on show once again.

La Albiceleste have also stood out as a team with intensity, with high energy levels in all of their games, channelling their emotions positively and leaving their opponents reeling. Not giving balls up as lost, helping out their team-mates, exploiting space or doubling up in defence: these blue-collar characteristics are some of the key features of a squad that wears its Argentinian heart on its sleeve.

Eight years have passed since Argentina’s last World Cup final. At Brazil 2014, Germany appeared in Argentina’s path and blocked them from sewing a third star onto their crest. That has been the dream since 1986 and Scaloni’s side now has the resources to succeed where their predecessors have failed.