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Argentina’s Victory and Colombia’s Streak Ends

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The Argentine national team, after facing defeat in the 2024 World Cup final and consecutive losses in the Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016, has finally found success by winning the World Cup and the Copa America two times in a row. This incredible achievement can be attributed to various factors, which we will explore in this article.

Meanwhile, Colombia maintained their impressive run of 27 games unbeaten in regular time, but ultimately fell to Argentina in overtime, conceding a goal from Lautaro Martínez. We will also examine the areas where the Colombian team fell short.

From Skepticism to Glory: Argentina’s Rise Under Lionel Scaloni

After Argentina’s elimination by France in the 2018 World Cup (3-4), Jorge Sampaoli stepped down. Subsequently, the relatively unknown Lionel Scaloni, without prior head coaching experience, was appointed. This decision drew criticism from the Argentine football federation, including Diego Maradona, who opposed the hiring of such an inexperienced coach.

However, under Scaloni’s guidance, Argentina underwent a transformation at the Copa America 2019, cultivating a core group of players who went on to win the following three tournaments. The new coach revamped the defensive and midfield lines, establishing a balanced and organized defensive style.

Despite a 0-2 loss to Brazil in the semifinals, Argentina’s gameplay showed promise. In 2021, Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, and Giovani Lo Celso were added to the main squad, and the team transitioned to a 4-4-2 formation. Argentina avenged their loss to Brazil by defeating them 1-0 in the final, securing their first Copa America victory since 1992 and Lionel Messi’s first trophy with the national team.

Following their victory at Copa America 2021, Argentina qualified for the 2022 World Cup without a single defeat and remained unbeaten in all friendly matches.

Key players such as Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, and Julián Álvarez emerged during the tournament, and Lionel Scaloni succeeded in building a well-rounded team, relying on Lionel Messi’s offensive skills. These elements led to Argentina’s first World Cup win since 1986.

Key Takeaways: Defense, Individual Play, and a Lifesaver in Goal

Argentina entered Copa America 2024 as a strong contender, benefiting from a favorable group and an advantageous path to the playoffs, avoiding tough opponents like Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia until the final.

Argentina’s lineup for the tournament was strengthened by Lisandro Martínez, a top defender globally, who replaced the aging Nicolás Otamendi in central defense.

Although they struggled to score in the group-stage matches, Argentina easily advanced to the playoffs. However, they encountered challenges in the quarterfinals against Ecuador, finding it difficult to break through their defense. The team eventually succeeded in a penalty shootout, thanks to Emiliano Martínez’s stellar performance.

Argentina’s recent success is largely due to the outstanding displays of Emiliano Martínez. His heroics in penalty shootouts and crucial saves have repeatedly bailed out the team when their defense faltered.

The match against Ecuador exposed Argentina’s vulnerabilities against organized opponents. This was partly due to Lionel Messi, who typically provides creativity, being less impactful in that game. Argentina heavily relies on Messi’s dribbling, shooting, and especially his passing to penetrate the opposition defense.

In the semifinals, Argentina easily defeated an inferior Canada. However, in the final against Colombia, Scaloni’s team faced a well-structured opponent.

Argentina defended effectively, limiting Colombia to minimal chances near their goal early in the game.

Argentina created few chances during the game and lost Messi to injury in the second half. In the second half of overtime, a goal from Lautaro Martínez secured victory in a closely contested match that could have gone to penalties.

The final against Colombia showcased key aspects of Argentina’s recent gameplay.

Firstly, Lionel Scaloni orchestrated a well-organized defensive team with versatile players who can adapt to various strategies.

Secondly, Argentina’s main source of chances is Lionel Messi’s individual brilliance and flank attacks, delivering dangerous crosses and cut-backs. Lautaro Martínez also excelled in the attack, scoring five goals in Copa America 2024.

Lastly, when Argentina struggles to break down the defense or makes defensive errors, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez always steps up to save his team.

Aggressive Tactics & James Rodriguez Shine, But Colombia Falls Short

Colombia reached the final of Copa America 2024 but faced disappointment in the decisive match. Throughout the tournament, Colombia only conceded three goals in six matches while scoring 12 goals, showcasing an impressive attacking style.

In the final against Argentina, Nestor Lorenzo’s team deployed a risky medium-high defensive line in a 4-3-1-2 formation, reducing Argentina’s chances to create through the center and progress their attacks with short passes. Colombia’s aggressive approach helped them match their opponents’ class difference.

James Rodríguez played a crucial role in creating scoring opportunities for his teammates through swift transitions from defense to attack.

Despite their efforts, Colombia couldn’t break through against Argentina, largely due to the strong performance of the Argentine central defenders.

Furthermore, Colombia’s risky defensive strategy, using only seven players during defensive phases, allowed Argentina to exploit space on the wings and outmaneuver their opponents.

In the 112th minute, a defensive mix-up among the Colombian players created space for Lautaro Martínez, who scored the winning goal for Argentina.

James excelled at Copa America, But Will European Clubs Bite?

Despite Colombia’s defeat in the final, James Rodríguez was the standout player of the tournament. While Lionel Messi didn’t perform at his usual level, James set a record with six assists at the Copa America.

Leveraging Nestor Lorenzo’s 4-3-1-2 formation, Rodríguez showcased his talents as a classic number ten playmaker, playing with freedom across the pitch. By focusing on offensive creation over defensive duties, he demonstrated his full potential.

This style led Colombia to numerous assists and passes, sparking discussions on whether top European clubs will pursue a playmaker who requires significant positional freedom and offers less defensive contribution.

Scaloni’s Challenge: Building an Offense Beyond Messi

The likelihood of Lionel Messi participating in the 2026 World Cup is growing. However, it remains uncertain if Messi, at 39, will maintain a key role in the Argentine national team given his recent injury record.

It will be intriguing to witness how Lionel Scaloni prepares Argentina for the upcoming tournament. In the past few years, his team has not demonstrated strong attacking strategies or combinations. As mentioned earlier, a significant portion of their offense relied



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