2022 FIFA World Cup Preview – Argentina

Argentina are the form side heading into the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Lionel Scaloni’s men are unbeaten in their last 35 matches in all competitions, two games shy of the record set by Italy and Roberto Mancini between 2018 and 2021. Argentina ended their 28-year wait without a major title in 2021 with their victory at Copa America, and Lionel Messi’s side followed that up with an equally impressive performance against Italy in the Finalissima at Wembley in the summer of 2022.

Argentina came painfully short of a World Cup triumph in 2014, losing to Germany in the final in extra-time in Rio, before being blitzed by eventual winners France in the Round of 16 in Russia. In 2022, the South American giants are a much more settled side heading into the World Cup and are one of the favourites to go all the way in Qatar.

Group C Schedule

• Saudi Arabia, November 22^nd
• Mexico, November 26^th
• Poland, November 30^th

Star player – Lionel Messi

All eyes will be on Lionel Messi in Qatar as the world’s greatest player of the last 15 years gets one final shot at winning the biggest prize in football. The lack of a World Cup title has always been used against Messi when comparing him to other greats such as Pele or Maradona, but the Argentinian genius could end all those debates in 2022 if he takes his country to the title.

Messi is arguably in the form of his life heading into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the PSG forward scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists for the French club in the first half of the season.

Player to watch out for – Emiliano Martinez

For the first time in a while, Argentina have a goalkeeper they can depend on to be a difference-maker between the posts at a World Cup in Emiliano Martinez. The former Arsenal man played a major role in Argentina’s Copa America triumph in 2021, and his shot-stopping and penalty-saving skills could be pivotal for the South American side in the latter stages of the tournament.

Probable XI

Unlike previous tournaments, Argentina head to Qatar 2022 with an incredibly settled side. Emiliano Martinez has established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, while Nanuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, and Nicolas Tagliafico are the starting back four. Lisandro Martinez is yet to break into the Argentine first XI despite his promising performances for Manchester United in the Premier League.

Giovani Lo Celso’s injury means that Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister will partner Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo de Paul in midfield, while Lionel Messi will be accompanied by Angel Di Maria and Inter forward Lautaro Martinez in the front three.

Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Nanuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicholas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo de Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez

Writer’s Prediction

Champions