Argentina and the rest of the world were left shell-shocked after their opening World Cup match. They were 36 games unbeaten but stunned by Saudi Arabia in one of the biggest shocks the footballing world has ever seen. Lionel Scaloni and Lionel Messi both came under a huge amount of pressure as Argentinians desperately searched for answers.
Tactically, it was a defeat that has led to changes that in turn have taken them all the way to the final. Scaloni was scalded for choosing Nicolas Otamendi in defence ahead of Lisandro Martinez and the team lacked cohesion in a 4-4-2 system, overpowered in midfield. That 4-4-2 saw the in-form striker partner Lionel Messi, with Angel Di Maria and Papu Gomez on the wings.
This system saw Saudi Arabia get away with a high line and after three disallowed goals for offside, momentum was lost and they simply couldn’t pass their way through. Argentina could have been 4-0 up at the break, instead it was 1-0 and then the second half collapse happened.
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Scaloni’s response to the shock defeat, a game his side started well in and should have won looking at the statistics, was to panic. Ahead of the Mexico game, which had turned into a must-win clash, he changed over half his starting XI as three of his back four and two midfielders were ditched.
It was a complete overreaction and Argentina almost paid the price. After an hour of awful football, Julian Alvarez was introduced for Lautaro Martinez and Scaloni stumbled upon something after a moment of Messi magic. They’ve so often needed their talisman to produce but that long-range strike kept them alive in the tournament and gave his manager more thinking time.
Alexis Mac Allister had performed well, while a switch to five at the back to see out the game also allowed Otamendi to be joined by Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez, rather than one or the other. The Poland win saw them top the group but it also saw the first start for Alvarez, a move that has unlocked the potential of this Argentina side.
Martinez is an exceptional forward, but he lost all confidence during this tournament. Meanwhile Alvarez came into the team and worked his socks off, which has allowed Messi to flourish alongside him. For a striker that is only 5ft 7in, he provides a physical presence and relentless energy.
That energy around Messi has been absolutely crucial. Behind the front two, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez have found their way into the starting XI, while Angel Di Maria’s injury has increased the importance of Messi’s attacking output, but made them a more difficult outfit to play against.
Papu Gomez once again started on the left against Australia in Di Maria’s absence, but Scaloni worked out that they were better off with a front two, and a more functional midfield behind the Messi/Alvarez duo. Another piece of brilliance got them through that game - just - before Scaloni showed his true flexibility against the Netherlands.
He started with a 3-5-2 for the first time in the tournament to match up Louis van Gaal and it worked a treat. His energetic trio of Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fenandez were complemented by Alvarez and the wing-backs Marcos Acuna and Nahuel Molina. They may have thrown away a two-goal lead after failing to deal with the physicality of the Dutch late on, but they made it through the tie that they should have won in normal time.
Reverting back to a narrow 4-4-2 and bringing in Leandro Paredes was the right decision against Croatia, who have that dangerous midfield trio that can control any game. Instead, Argentina were able to get a foothold in the game and use that special front two to break Zlatko Dalić’s stubborn side.
Scaloni has drilled his side, no matter the system, to be ten players plus Messi. The rest of them know they have to do his running and let him win the game for them. Looking ahead to Sunday, this flexibility also makes Argentina difficult to predict ahead of their clash with France. They could revert to five at the back to try and contain that great attacking threat, but Scaloni is more likely to pack the midfield in an attempt to halt Antoine Griezmann.
On paper, their squad is no match for France. But they’ve got ten players willing to run their nuts off, and Lionel Messi. He has shown this tournament that he still has the talent to win any game and after a period of panic, Scaloni deserves credit for landing on one or two systems that get the best out of him.
