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The reason why Argentina always causes their opponents to collapse at the end of the match.
16
Jul
Jul
Argentina knows how to wait for the right moment to strike.
Argentina’s over-reliance on Messi prevented them from sustaining the high-intensity pressing style of play seen in top European teams for extended periods. At 39, Messi no longer possessed the stamina to constantly engage in high-speed races.
Therefore, Scaloni opted for a different approach. Argentina played at a slower pace, prioritizing short and medium-range passing combinations to conserve energy. They accepted not dominating all the time, but maintained their composure for the final stages of the match, when their opponents began to tire.
That was also the time when substitutes showed their worth. Lautaro Martinez and Nico Gonzalez, whenever brought on, helped Argentina accelerate their attack. In the semi-final against England, it was Lautaro who appeared at the right moment to head in the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory.
But above all, it was Messi. At 39, Messi no longer made a difference with bursts of speed or continuous solo runs like in his prime. Instead, he used his ability to read the game, choose his position, and make decisions that took only seconds to change the course of the match.
When the opposing defense started to tire, they often lost focus or were forced to send 2-3 extra players to closely mark Messi. This gap opened up opportunities for second-line midfielders to penetrate and finish. Enzo Fernandez took advantage of this in his equalizer against England in the semi-final.
Messi was directly involved in most of Argentina’s late goals. He scored to give the lead against Austria, netted against Jordan, and equalized against Egypt. In addition, Messi assisted Romero in the match against Egypt, and then set up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez against England.
Since the start of the tournament, Messi has scored 8 goals and provided 4 assists.
Argentina carries the weight of history.
The most important factor that helps Argentina consistently overcome difficult times lies in what could be called the “DNA of big matches.”
Like Real Madrid, who always have a special identity in the Champions League, Argentina is a team built on experience and belief on the big stage. They have reached the World Cup finals seven times and understand how to survive on the delicate line between victory and defeat.
Inherent in that DNA is the ability to handle nail-biting moments, the experience of knowing when to slow down the game, when to commit tactical fouls, when to protect their advantage, and when to gamble everything on a last chance.
It also includes the ability to withstand pressure in decisive situations: taking a free kick in the final minute, stepping up to the penalty spot amidst thousands of boos, or maintaining composure when everything seems to be against them.
Argentina is not just technical. They have the stubbornness, mischief and psychological bravery of a team accustomed to adversity.
Under Messi’s guidance, that calmness is even more evident. Argentina rarely falls into a state of panic. They do not rush to shoot the ball in desperation, do not reveal impatience in each action. Even as the match entered its final minutes, they still felt familiar: they would find a way through.
That is the big difference between Argentina and many opponents.
While the current generation of English players always tries to escape the weight of history, Argentina chooses to embrace the past. Memories of Maradona, decades-long rivalries and national pride are still present everywhere, from murals and banners in the stands to songs heard in Buenos Aires or in the United States.
That source of emotional energy becomes a special weapon.
Every Argentine player understands that failure is more than just a sporting result. It is also related to the pride of the entire football background. That creates a different determination when they face adversity.
Tactics can decide the outcome of a match. History creates stories. But in the end, it is the human spirit that makes the World Cup so special.
And in this tournament, Argentina is probably the team that shows that spirit most clearly.
