Argentina's 2018 World Cup Squad: A Look Back

The 2018 World Cup in Russia was a tournament filled with high hopes and eventual disappointment for Argentina. Argentina's 2018 World Cup squad, led by arguably the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi, entered the competition with aspirations of lifting the trophy. However, things didn't go as planned, and their journey was cut short in the round of 16. Let's dive deep into the formation, key players, and the overall performance of the Albiceleste in that tournament.

The Anticipation and Expectations

Before the tournament kicked off, the expectations surrounding the Argentine national team were, as always, sky-high. With Lionel Messi in their ranks, fans and pundits alike believed that Argentina had a genuine chance to win the World Cup. The team had reached the final in 2014, losing to Germany in extra time, and there was a sense that this could be Messi's moment to finally replicate Diego Maradona's success and bring the trophy back to Argentina. Argentina's 2018 World Cup squad was a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talents, creating a blend that many thought could go all the way. The squad was carefully constructed, with the aim of providing Messi with the support he needed to shine on the world stage. Players like Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, and Angel Di Maria were expected to provide the firepower upfront, while the midfield was tasked with controlling the game and feeding passes to the attackers. In defense, experienced players like Nicolas Otamendi and Javier Mascherano were supposed to provide a solid foundation. However, as we all know, football is unpredictable, and things don't always go according to plan. The pressure on the team was immense, and the weight of expectations seemed to affect their performances on the pitch. Despite the talent within the squad, Argentina struggled to find consistency and struggled to overcome the challenges they faced during the tournament.

The Squad and Key Players

Argentina's final 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup was a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents. The squad was built around Lionel Messi, who was, without a doubt, the team's talisman and main source of inspiration. Other key players included:

• Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Wilfredo Caballero, Nahuel Guzman
• Defenders: Gabriel Mercado, Federico Fazio, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Tagliafico, Cristian Ansaldi
• Midfielders: Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia, Ever Banega, Angel Di Maria, Marcos Acuna, Maximiliano Meza, Enzo Perez, Giovani Lo Celso
• Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Cristian Pavon

Lionel Messi, as always, was the focal point of the team's attack. His ability to dribble past defenders, create scoring opportunities, and score goals was crucial to Argentina's chances. Sergio Aguero, coming off a fantastic season with Manchester City, was expected to provide goals and link up well with Messi. Angel Di Maria, with his pace and creativity, was another key player in the attacking third. In midfield, Javier Mascherano's experience and leadership were vital in shielding the defense and providing stability. However, despite the presence of these talented players, the team struggled to find the right balance and cohesion throughout the tournament. The defense looked shaky at times, the midfield lacked creativity, and the attack was often too reliant on Messi's individual brilliance. The lack of a clear tactical plan and the inability to adapt to different opponents also contributed to their struggles.

The Formation and Tactics

Throughout the tournament, Argentina experimented with different formations and tactical approaches, but they never seemed to find a system that truly worked. Initially, coach Jorge Sampaoli favored a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Messi playing as a false nine, dropping deep to pick up the ball and create opportunities. However, this formation often left Messi isolated and struggled to get the best out of the other attacking players. Argentina's 2018 World Cup squad's formation was inconsistent. Sampaoli also tried a 4-3-3 formation, with Messi playing on the right wing, but this also failed to unlock the team's full potential. One of the main issues was the lack of a consistent midfield partnership. Sampaoli struggled to find the right combination of players who could control the game, win the ball back, and provide support to the attack. The defense was also a major concern, with individual errors and a lack of communication leading to costly goals. Despite having experienced players like Otamendi and Mascherano, the backline looked vulnerable and struggled to cope with the pace and movement of opposing attackers. Tactically, Argentina lacked a clear identity and struggled to adapt to different opponents. They often looked disjointed and lacked the cohesion and understanding that is essential for success in a major tournament. Sampaoli's constant tinkering with the lineup and formation only added to the confusion and uncertainty within the team.

Group Stage Struggles

Argentina's journey in the 2018 World Cup got off to a disastrous start with a 1-1 draw against Iceland. Messi missed a penalty, and the team struggled to break down Iceland's stubborn defense. The second match against Croatia was even worse, as Argentina suffered a 3-0 defeat. The team looked completely disorganized, and Messi was largely anonymous. The defense was exposed, the midfield was overrun, and the attack lacked any real threat. The pressure was mounting on Sampaoli and the players, and their chances of progressing to the knockout stage looked slim. Argentina's 2018 World Cup squad faced immense criticism. In a must-win final group game against Nigeria, Argentina managed to secure a 2-1 victory, thanks to a late goal from Marcos Rojo. However, the performance was far from convincing, and they only narrowly avoided an embarrassing early exit. Despite scraping through to the round of 16, it was clear that Argentina was not playing at their best, and their chances of going much further in the tournament looked bleak.

Round of 16 Exit

In the round of 16, Argentina faced France, who would eventually go on to win the tournament. The match was a thrilling encounter, but Argentina ultimately lost 4-3. Despite scoring three goals, their defense was once again exposed, and they struggled to contain the pace and power of the French attack. Kylian Mbappe was the star of the show, scoring two goals and causing havoc for the Argentine defense. Argentina's 2018 World Cup squad's journey ended here. The defeat marked the end of Argentina's World Cup campaign and sparked widespread criticism of Sampaoli and the players. Many felt that the team had underachieved and failed to live up to expectations. The performance in the tournament raised serious questions about the future of Argentine football and the need for a new direction.

The Aftermath and Lessons Learned

The failure of Argentina's 2018 World Cup campaign led to significant changes within the national team setup. Jorge Sampaoli was sacked, and Lionel Scaloni was appointed as the new coach. Scaloni embarked on a rebuilding process, bringing in new players and implementing a more pragmatic and organized approach. The focus shifted from relying solely on Messi's individual brilliance to creating a more cohesive and balanced team. Scaloni's approach proved to be successful, as Argentina went on to win the Copa America in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022. The lessons learned from the 2018 World Cup were crucial in shaping the team's future success. The importance of a strong defense, a well-organized midfield, and a cohesive team spirit were all emphasized. The reliance on Messi was reduced, and the team became more adaptable and resilient. The 2018 World Cup may have been a disappointment for Argentina, but it served as a valuable learning experience that ultimately paved the way for future triumphs.

Conclusion

The 2018 World Cup was a tournament to forget for Argentina. Argentina's 2018 World Cup squad, despite boasting some of the world's best players, failed to live up to expectations and crashed out in the round of 16. The team struggled with tactical inconsistencies, defensive vulnerabilities, and an over-reliance on Lionel Messi. However, the experience served as a catalyst for change, and the lessons learned from the tournament were instrumental in Argentina's subsequent success. While the 2018 World Cup will always be remembered as a disappointment, it also marked the beginning of a new era for Argentine football, one that would eventually lead to glory.