Copa América: 5 Takeaways From Argentina's Matches So Far

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Copa América: 5 Takeaways From Argentina’s Matches So Far

Published

2 years ago

July 2, 2024

Argentina had a flawless defense of their Copa América title in the group phase, winning all three matches without conceding a single goal

After defeating Canada, Chile, and Peru, the Argentinian national team will head to Houston for a quarter-final match against Ecuador on July 4.

Before this upcoming match, let’s review five things we’ve learned about the World Champions at this tournament so far.

Emi Martínez Remains Rock-Solid

Argentina Goalkeeper Dibu Martinez

As mentioned, Argentina triumphed in all three Copa América group stage matches without letting in a single goal. This feat has only been accomplished by four other teams since 1993. Colombia in 2019 and 2001, Bolivia in 1997, and Brazil in 1995.

Across the three games, La Albiceleste allowed just six shots on target, totaling an xG allowed figure of 1.4, indebted to Emi Martínez, who’s taken his tally to a remarkable 31 clean sheets in just 42 international caps, letting in only 16 goals in these appearances.

Credit must be given to the new primary center-back duo of Lisandro Martnez and Cristian Romero, with the Manchester United player surpassing the 36-year-old Nicolás Otamendi in the defensive hierarchy.

Argentina Cuti Romero and Lisandro Martinez

Compared to Argentina’s defensive frailties in previous tournaments, where they conceded six goals at Copa America 2019 and nine at the World Cup the year prior, the current team has shown significant improvement. Martínez goal symbolizes this transformation.

Lautaro Martínez Has to Startup Front

Lautaro Martínez

Speaking of Martínezs, his namesake Lautaro has been the face of Argentina’s Copa campaign so far, despite not starting either of the first two matches.

He subbed in to score in the 88th minute against both Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Chile at MetLife Stadium.

The goal against Canada secured the victory while the one against Chile was crucial, snatching a 1-0 win in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

In Saturday’s inconsequential match against Peru in Miami Gardens, Lionel Scaloni made significant changes to his team, allowing the striker to start. He made a strong case for a permanent spot in the starting lineup by scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory.

Before this year, in the modern era, so post-1993, only five players had scored in all three group games at a Copa América, most recently Víctor Aristizábal of Colombia in 2001, as well as Paulo Wanchope (Costa Rica/2001), Luis Hernández (Mexico/1997), Luis García (Mexico/1995), and José Luis Dolgetta (Venezuela, 1993),

Aristizábal would also net in the quarters and semis, as Los Cafeteros went on to win the whole thing on home soil.

Jair (1949), Humberto Maschio (1957), and Javier Ambrois (also 1957) all scored nine times in a single edition, the tournament record, so while Martinez is unlikely to match that figure, given his current form, he may go close.

With that in mind, will be intriguing to if he will be chosen to team up with Lionel Messi in the upcoming quarterfinals on Thursday, or if Julián Álvarez will return.

Scoring 31 goals for Inter this season and securing his first Capocannoniere award, many fans hoped to see Lautaro leading the front line before the tournament.

However, Scaloni believes Álvarez complements Messi better, presenting the manager with a challenging decision to make.

Lionel Scaloni Trusts His Squad

Across the first two matches, Scaloni used 18 different players, making three changes to his lineup for last Tuesday’s meeting with Chile, but utilising his full complement of five substitutes both times.

Germán Pezzella, Exequiel Palacios, and Alejandro Garnacho started on Saturday, while Lucas Martínez Quarta, Guido Rodríguez, and Valentín Carboni came off the bench in Florida. This means that all 23 outfield players have had playing time during the group stages.

This would have been unthinkable not so long ago, when la Albiceleste’s squad, put frankly, featured a few players essentially making up the numbers, was announced. This is no longer the case, with everyone, in literal terms, able to contribute.

Life After Lionel Messi Is Bright

Leo Messi on bench against Peru

For a considerable period, the Argentine team was often perceived as centered around Messi with the remaining ten players merely supporting him, a dynamic that influenced their style of play.

However, it became evident that relying solely on getting the ball to Messi and expecting miracles was not a successful strategy for clinching major tournaments.

Now though, there is serious talent throughout this team, that looks both deep and balanced, reflected by the fact they’ve lost just two of their last 42 competitive fixtures, dating back five years, the current holders of the Finalissima, Copa América and World Cup trophies.

It’s worth clarifying, make no mistake about it, Messi is still the best player on the team, which is still largely built around him, leading the way for both expected assists (2.4) and key passes (10), but as the 37-year-old’s powers start to wain, this side will still be competitive.

Argentina Are Going to Reach the Final

While it may not be an audacious assertion, we confidently predict that Argentina will one of the two competing in the final Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, July 14th.

Argentina’s national team, entered the Copa competition as strong favorites to secure their record-breaking 16th trophy even before the tournament.

This favoritism stemmed not only from being the current titleholders and reigning world champions but also due to key competitors such as Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay being positioned on the opposite side of the tournament bracket.

The clarity of Argentina’s trajectory to the final had already been established since December 7, when the draw took place at the James L. Knight Center.

At NRG Stadium on Thursday, Argentina will face Ecuador in the quarter-finals. If they emerge victorious, they will then face either Venezuela or Canada the following Tuesday in the semi-finals.

A significant and unprecedented upset in the Copa America tournament would be required to prevent Scaloni’s team from advancing to the final. However, the opponent they will face in the final still remain to be seen.

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