Argentina's in it to win it, and nobody can stop them

You can't help but admire the ascension of this Argentina team.

After looking down and dusted following their early exit in the 2018 World Cup, Argentina seem ready to compete amongst the world's best in the upcoming 2022 World Cup.

But how did this come to be? Over the course of this article, we will look at how a team that seemed stuck in transition turned it all around and won the hearts of fans in the process. We will also analyse their squad heading into the World Cup and see if they can win it all in 2022.

A narrow loss in the World Cup Final in 2014 against Germany showed that the future was bright for Germany, with stars such as Marcos Rojo, Angel di Maria and of course, Lionel Messi seeming to be centrepieces of a new generation of Argentinean dominance.

But a few weeks later, the coach who had guided them to the final, Alejandro Sabella, resigned from his post. Gerardo Martino replaced him.

It was at this moment that the wheels slowly, but indeed began to fall off.

Two consecutive Copa America final defeats in 2015 and 2016, both to Chile on penalties saw a disheartened Messi briefly retire from the sport.

After qualifying for the 2018 World Cup by the skin of their teeth, many expected the Albiceleste to not make much noise in the tournament, as this was a squad stuck in transition.

2018 FIFA World Cup

After a draw to Iceland and a loss to Croatia, a 86th minute Marcos Rojo goal ensured that Argentina would qualify from their group in a must-win game against Nigeria.

However, they bowed out of the tournament in the very next round, with a loss to eventual champions France, in a thrilling 4-3 game.

After the World Cup, coach Jorge Sampaoli left the squad and was replaced by Lionel Scaloni on an interim basis.

The writing was on the wall. Lionel Messi, who many regard as the greatest Argentinian and greatest human to kick a football, seemed destined to have an undignified retirement from the international game. New coach Lionel Scaloni seemed to be only a placeholder for the time being. The coveted international trophy for Messi seemed far away as ever, with the 2022 World Cup seemingly out of reach, with the squad being rebuilt to get back to the global force that they had been.

Initial signs were not encouraging, as Scaloni didn't deny the end of Messi's Argentinian career after he opted out of the September friendlies.

The results did arrive, as Scaloni guided the Albiceleste to a third-place finish in the 2019 Copa America. The 2-0 loss to Brazil which knocked them out of the competition would also be their last loss to this date.

It was hoped that the momentum would carry into the 2020 Copa America, which was to be held in Argentina and Colombia.

Shortly after, it was announced that the tournament would be postponed for a year, owing to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The postponement allowed the squad to familiarize themselves with each other more, as they played 6 more games, winning 3 and drawing 3.

The Copa America

Heading into the Copa America, the expectation around the squad was optimistic. It seemed like the best chance the Albiceleste had to win a trophy since 2016. They were the second-best team, after their neighbour and regional powerhouses Brazil.

A berth in the final was the expectation heading into the competition. Emiliano Martinez had a productive season with new club Aston Villa, Messi was his usual best for Barcelona, Lautaro Martinez ensured that Messi would not be burdened by the task of carrying the attack forward. Rodrigo De Paul gave the squad a balance in midfield, while Christian Romero helped the squad's defence.

A dominant group stage performance saw them top their group, where they would face Colombia in the finals, who they beat on penalties, confirming their final berth.

They were to face off against their eternal rivals Brazil in the final. Like Argentina, Brazil too seemed to be enjoying their Copa America.

The stage was set. It was the first and only game to have fans inside the stadium. The opportunity was golden. Not only could Messi and the Argentinian squad win their first international trophy, but they could also do it in style, beating their nemesis in their home stadium.

A defensive error by Renan Lodi saw Angel Di Maria put the Albiceleste ahead. A nervy finish for Argentina saw that to be the only goal in the game.

The wait was over. After 28 years, Argentina would bring an international trophy back home. To many, this win cemented Messi's status as the GOAT. It seemed funny to think that 4 years ago, this same team seemed destined for a few years in purgatory.

Argentina has carried their form into 2022, where they stand at a 35-game unbeaten streak, the joint-second longest streak in the history of international football. They also won the Finalissima against Italy, a tournament, where the winners of the Euros and Copa America square off in a winner-takes-all game.

However, it should be noted that this isn't a flukey run that produced a Copa America and a long unbeaten streak. This was the product of a smart rebuild overseen by Lionel Scaloni and co.

Let's analyse the factors which led to their success over the past 4 years.

The factors

Firstly, Scaloni has brought about changes in the squad, by rejuvenating the ageing first team by bringing in young stars like Christian Romero and Rodrigo De Paul, while introducing new players to the squad like Emiliano Martinez at GK.

Furthermore, with the emergence of players such as Angel Correa and Lautaro Martinez, the burden placed on Messi to single-handedly win games for Argentina has severely lessened. This lack of burden has allowed Messi to play a freer game, which has benefitted Messi, who bagged the Copa America's Best Player Award and Argentina, seeing their recent successes.

With the burden on Messi being reduced and a much younger squad than previous years, Argentina have gone on a 35-game unbeaten run, the third longest in the history of international football. They now head into the 2022 World Cup, being the pick of many to win the World Cup.

The Last Dance

This World Cup has a "Last Dance" feel to it, as Messi announced that this will be his last World Cup. However, I would argue that Argentina faces much more pressure than the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls, as this is Messi's last shot at the World Cup, as is the case for many players like Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi. GK Emiliano Martinez and Defender Nicolas Tagliafico will also be past their primes come the 2026 World Cup.

While Lionel Messi is undoubtedly Argentina's best player, I believe that Lautaro Martinez is the X Factor of the squad. Despite having yet another terrific season for Inter, Martinez has flown relatively under the radar. He somehow achieves higher levels with the national squad, where he averages a goal in less than 2 games.

Here is what I feel should be their lineup for the World Cup:

The biggest snub of this is XI has to be Paulo Dybala, who is in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup, while Julian Alvarez could be sure to start their final fixture against Saudi Arabia if they are assured of a first-place spot heading into the final matchday.

Let's now analyse the path which I feel they would take in Qatar.

Before Argentina can even dream of a third star, they must first get out of their group. Luckily, a group of Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia should not prove to be too tricky for them, and they should be confident in winning their group.

Up next is a tie with the runner-up of Group D, which would most likely be Denmark. While the Danes are in splendid form themselves, the sheer quality of this Argentinean side should see them out.

They would then most probably face the Netherlands, who would have beat the United States or Wales. Despite the Dutch boasting a splendid defense and midfield, I feel their youth, combined with their lack of World Cup experience would come to haunt them, as Argentina would move on to the semi-final.

Forbidding any upsets, Argentina should expect to meet their historic foes Brazil in a Copa America final rematch. This time, however, I would expect Brazil to pull off the win, as their attack is probably the best in the entire world, while their defense is capable of keeping stars at bay.

This would see Argentina not contend for the World Cup for a 36th consecutive year.

However, the squad can still salvage a third-place finish, which I would expect them to do so, against a German side, who I feel would lose their semi-final matchup against France.

So there you have it.

Messi does not win the coveted World Cup trophy, and more importantly, the Albiceleste will not don the third star on their jersey.

However, I still am not counting this side out. While I did predict for them to lose to Brazil, it is important noting that they did beat them the last time these two sides squared off in the final of the Copa America. Their side hasn't changed much since the win, and their players have only gotten better.

But one thing is certain. Win this World Cup or not, Argentina is back, and they are not a forced to be toyed with.

Author's note - used https://www.buildlineup.com, for making the starting XI, took pictures from gettyimages.com.