Tactical breakdown of Argentina’s draw with Iceland – what must Sampaoli’s side improve?
by Daniel Fraiz-Martinez Barely a week into the World Cup, but if there had been a goal for every time I’ve heard “They have to move the ball quickly and […]
Category Archives: World Cup 2018
Sampaoli rings the changes for Croatia clash: Pavón, Mercado & Acuña in line for starts in radical formation change
Saturday’s draw with Iceland left Jorge Sampaoli with much to ponder and while Lionel Messi’s penalty miss may have drawn the focus elsewhere the reliance on Argentina’s captain was as […]
5 lessons learned from Argentina’s frustrating draw with Iceland
The points may have been shared but the reactions at the final whistle told the story. Argentina’s recent frustrations continued with two points certainly dropped while World Cup debutants Iceland […]
Argentina player ratings v Iceland: Agüero nets first World Cup goal as Messi falters from the spot
The opening draw with Iceland wasn’t the performance or the result that Argentina wanted and while Messi’s penalty miss and the soft defensive display will create the headlines, were there […]
Lionel Messi misses penalty as Argentina held by Iceland in opener
Lionel Messi missed a second half penalty as Argentina were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Iceland in their World Cup opener in Moscow on Saturday. La Albiceleste after […]
Argentina v Iceland preview: Starting XI & Sampaoli press conference quotes
The turmoil of qualification firmly in the past Argentina get their World Cup campaign underway on Saturday and while the Albiceleste and captain Lionel Messi feel the weight of expectation, […]
Batistuta’s hat-trick, the Swedish disaster & a Cameroonian upset: Argentina’s opening World Cup match history
Argentina being considered among the favourites in Russia is certainly not based on any recent form and goalkeeper Willy Caballero said as much this week. “Argentina is respected because of […]
Renegade Sampaoli opts for cautious Argentina XI ahead of World Cup opener with Iceland
For all the talk of 2-3-3-2 formations, Argentina throwing caution to the wind and Diego Maradona promptly lambasting the proposed ‘1930s’ system, Jorge Sampaoli looks set to tread carefully for […]
All or nothing for Argentina in a last charge from the old guard
There is no side in Russia that divides opinion quite like Argentina – contenders to lift the trophy for a third time or prime candidates to be 2018’s major flop. […]
Agüero, Salvio, Meza & Lo Celso all in as Argentina finalise plans for World Cup opener
Jorge Sampaoli has been constantly tinkering with his Argentina side since he took over the role one year ago but with La Albiceleste’s World Cup opener against Iceland now only […]
Enzo Pérez may not excite but is the best option to replace injured Lanzini in Argentina squad
Argentina have called up River Plate midfielder and veteran of the 2014 World Cup campaign Enzo Pérez as a replacement for the injured Manuel Lanzini. Lanzini ruptured the anterior cruciate […]
Manuel Lanzini ruled out of World Cup with ACL injury; Argentina wait on replacement
Argentina’s World Cup preparations have taken a further blow with the news that midfielder Manuel Lanzini has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury in training and will miss the […]
AFA President Tapia confirms Israel friendly is off over security fears & Argentina are left without World Cup warm-up
The decision to accept a friendly against Israel in Jerusalem was always questionable but only three days before Argentina were due to play their final World Cup warm-up game, Jorge […]
Argentina postpone final friendly with Israel amid growing demonstrations
The Argentine Football Association’s (AFA) decision to travel to take the national team to Jerusalem for the last World Cup warm-up game against Israel always looked like an odd decision […]
The changing face of Lionel Messi’s inner-circle for Argentina
Jimmy Lee returns to take a look at a new generation of Argentina stars who appear to making the crucial step of earning Lionel Messi’s trust… Over the years, a […]
More to come in Russia? Lionel Messi’s five World Cup goals (VIDEO)
By Youssef Amin Lionel Messi is undisputedly the best player in the world right now, and arguably the greatest of all time. The man who all of Argentina’s hopes rest […]
7 learnings for Argentina as road to Russia runs out – Messi, Agüero, Lo Celso, the full-backs & more
It’s perhaps difficult to read too much into Argentina’s straight-forward 4-0 win over Haiti, but as La Albiceleste jet off to Barcelona to complete World Cup preparations, here are a […]
Argentina player ratings vs Haiti: Messi still the shining light but Pavón & Agüero impress off the bench
Not much could be garnered from Argentina’s comfortable 4-0 win over the limited opposition that Haiti offered at La Bombonera on Tuesday but as ever Lionel Messi was the inspiration. […]
Cristian Pavón is ready to fill Ángel Di María’s spot for Argentina
After Cristian Pavón’s impressive display from the bench against Haiti, Jimmy Lee returns to Golazo to suggest that the Boca youngster is ready to supplant Ángel Di María in Argentina’s starting […]
Lionel Messi hat-trick hands Argentina easy win over Haiti as squad departs for World Cup (VIDEO)
“We’re not going as favourites but will give it our all,” Messi said after scoring a sixth international hat-trick of his career in Argentina’s routine farewell friendly win over Haiti. […]
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