With Lionel Messi leading the way, Argentina delivered impressive performances throughout the World Cup. The biggest names in football watched as the South American team pressed forward with confidence.
The entire continent celebrated as Argentina clinched the World Cup in Qatar 2022, bringing Europe’s dominance to a close and returning the trophy to the region with a historic Albiceleste triumph. Messi finally achieved the one golden prize that had eluded him for so long, completing a remarkable career filled with trophies and personal accolades.
How should Argentina’s Qatar 2022 triumph be analyzed? What sets this squad apart from earlier Argentine sides that fell short of lifting the trophy? Answers vary, but several pivotal moments stand out on the road to glory, and they are worth exploring for a clearer picture of this historic campaign.
After a dramatic victory over France, questions immediately turned to the team that not only lost the final but also faced the challenge of losing key players on the path forward. Messi’s name loomed large in discussions about whether he would be remembered as the greatest, while Argentina steadily pressed toward an undisputed status in football history.
Argentina, champions of Qatar 2022: the keys and great achievements
1) A quick recovery from the early setback against Saudi Arabia: the pre-tournament belief that Group C would be straightforward was challenged when Argentina endured a tough second half that left a dent in their opening match. The stumble could have defined the group stage, but the squad demonstrated resilience. In the end, the captain and his teammates stepped forward to reset the tone. Their resolve and unity became the defining characteristic that carried them through six more games to lift the trophy.
Messi emerged as the central figure, the one who steadied the ship when needed and spoke to the media with honesty about the work required. The team’s trajectory from that moment highlighted a belief in themselves and a refusal to collapse under pressure. The subsequent results spoke for themselves as the journey unfolded.
Messi, a player who has won every major prize in football, was widely celebrated not just for goals but for leadership and influence on and off the pitch. His experiences with club and country gave him a unique perspective, one that inspired teammates and energized fans across the globe.
2) Messi’s World Cup peak: prior to this edition, expectations around Messi in the World Cup were mixed. A final in 2014 and standout moments in later years left fans hoping for a more complete story. In Qatar, Messi found the perfect balance, scoring in multiple matches, including crucial goals that propelled Argentina deep into the knockout rounds. His contributions during key moments helped him join the ranks of the competition’s all-time top scorers, reinforcing his status as a central figure in the event’s history.
In the group stage and knockouts, Messi delivered decisive moments that often decided match outcomes. He produced a decisive strike against a strong opponent in a tense moment and demonstrated why he remains a benchmark for excellence in the sport. His leadership and consistency in front of goal were critical to Argentina’s path through the tournament and into the final stages.
3) Julián Álvarez, an unexpected goalscorer: heading into the tournament, Lautaro Martínez was widely seen as the main attacking reference. However, Álvarez emerged as a key contributor through his goals and relentless work rate, turning the semi-final against Croatia into a statement performance. His relentless pressing and timely finishes underscored his growing importance to the team and hinted at a bright future for the young attacker with one of Europe’s top clubs.
Álvarez finished among the tournament’s leading scorers, trailing only Messi and Mbappé, a testament to his influence on the campaign. His goals and initiative in critical matches, including the knockout rounds, strengthened Argentina’s attacking options and provided a blueprint for future success for the national team.
4) Enzo Fernández, the breakthrough talent: after a setback in the campaign, coach Scaloni reimagined the lineup, and Fernández seized his chance. His standout performance against Mexico elevated him to a leading role in Argentina’s midfield. The 21-year-old’s blend of technical ability, pace, and composure suggested a bright future as the backbone of the team’s engine room, with plenty of potential to shape Argentina’s path beyond the World Cup.
Fernández’s influence in the final and throughout the tournament was evident in statistics and impact. His presence provided balance and energy, helping Argentina control games and transition effectively from defense to attack. His emergence signaled a shift in the national team’s trajectory and reinforced the sense that the squad could rely on a core of younger players alongside Messi’s veteran leadership.
5) Team balance and leadership: the success was not solely about Messi. Argentina demonstrated depth and versatility by rotating players and adapting to different challenges without depending entirely on the captain. The coaching staff, led by Scaloni, earned recognition for constructing a cohesive unit that could absorb injuries and still compete at the highest level. The collective effort, rather than a single star, proved to be the decisive factor behind their title run.
As the final approached, a sense of inevitability grew around the Argentina squad. The team’s ability to handle pressure, execute a clear game plan, and maintain a positive mindset across the tournament marked a turning point for the national team and a moment of pride for fans around the world.
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Which moment stood out for you?
- 49%Real Betty
- 12%sao paulo
- 5%cremonese
- 26%Ajax
- 7%Burnley
7574″”vote