In the 37 minutes between England taking the lead against Argentina and then succumbing to a deficit, they managed just 12% possession. It is reasonable to expect a different confrontation in the World Cup final, as Spain is less prone to the panic that sometimes envelops the English. The finalists have maintained an impressive average of 64% possession throughout the tournament. Spain’s approach contrasts sharply with that of England, characterized by methodical play rather than frantic responses.
Since Vicente del Bosque took over from Luis Aragonés in 2008, Spain has established a well-defined style of play that has brought consistent success. This legacy offers a glimmer of hope for England, as Spain once struggled to meet expectations before Aragonés led a transformation that culminated in three European Championships and a World Cup in the last two decades, with the potential for another title on the horizon.
While Spain’s emphasis on ball control can sometimes seem predictable, it is not without its merits. Luis de la Fuente has breathed new life into the juego de posición model. Observing the alternative approach displayed on Wednesday in Atlanta by a team that struggled to maintain possession underscores the immense value of retaining the ball.
De la Fuente’s background within the system is advantageous. He is not merely a club coach dabbling in international affairs but a federation representative familiar with many players since their youth team days. This tournament has seen notable coaches from affluent nations, such as Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti, falter. It is noteworthy that Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni, like de la Fuente, ascended to the senior role after coaching the under-21 team, bringing a deep understanding of the players, style, and mentality.
Similar to Joachim Löw, who guided Germany to the 2014 World Cup following his tenure in the federation, England’s rise in international performance—reaching four semi-finals in five tournaments since 2018—can be attributed to the transformative leadership of Gareth Southgate, who played a vital role in overhauling the academy system before stepping up as under-21 coach.
International football increasingly appears to revolve around systems, suggesting that Lee Carsley, who has led England Under-21s to two European Championship titles, could be a strong candidate for the senior position.
Under Scaloni, Argentina has consciously sought to reinstate a more traditional style of play, prioritizing short passing over a physical approach that emphasizes long passes and larger forwards. Nonetheless, the team remains capable of physicality when reclaiming possession, as demonstrated by Giuliano Simeone’s determination to win the ball from Marc Guéhi.
Matías Manna, Argentina’s analyst, identifies Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes as pivotal to their strategy. He stated, “He wins the ball a lot from the front and knows how to defend behind him,”
“If a team is built around passing, it’s important to have a holder like Paredes who interacts well with the inside players and the No 10. He’s the Argentinian who best finds Messi between the lines. You can’t analyse the game individually. The game is in the relationships between players.”
Manna emphasizes that integration is key; the tactical and emotional connections among players are more crucial than the formation itself. Argentina’s greatest strength under Scaloni lies in their unity and shared purpose, fueled by the desire to secure Lionel Messi a second World Cup and surpass Diego Maradona.
While Spain has moved away from the notion of la furia, Argentina has embraced it. The strategy is not merely to wait for Messi to perform magic, but his ability to influence matches through skill and determination is a significant asset. The late-game surges inspired by Messi have been a defining characteristic of Argentina’s knockout stage performances.
It is anticipated that Argentina will adopt a 4-5-1 formation for the final, contrasting with their earlier 4-4-2 setup. This would see Messi playing as a loose center-forward, with Julián Álvarez positioned on the left. The decision on whether to utilize Simeone as a disruptive force on the right or to deploy Rodrigo De Paul, who is more accustomed to protecting Messi, represents a crucial tactical choice for Argentina.
The primary objective will be to disrupt Spain’s midfield and prevent them from establishing their rhythm, which may entail Alexis Mac Allister or Enzo Fernández taking a man-to-man approach against Rodri, the key figure in Spain’s midfield.
Argentina’s susceptibility to pace has been exposed by teams like Cape Verde and Egypt, and although England did not capitalize on this vulnerability, Spain may find it challenging to exploit it as well. Spain’s strength during the last Euros stemmed from their ability to combine tight possession with direct attacks from wide areas, but injuries have limited their options in this tournament.
Nico Williams, who was a standout at the Euros, has been limited to substitute appearances, while Álex Baena has been filling in as a central creator without the requisite pace on the flank. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal, who arrived at the tournament nursing a hamstring issue, has shown improvement but has yet to reach peak form.
The final presents a classic showdown between a methodical team and one driven by emotion. Passion can often lead to risks, potentially allowing the composed strategists to secure an easy victory. If Spain takes the lead, they could frustrate Argentina, denying them possession and counterattacking effectively.
However, Argentina appears to be a more self-aware team than Brazil was in 2014, capable of channeling their intensity. As the match progresses without a goal, the chances of Argentina fulfilling Messi’s destiny grow stronger.
