EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Argentina entered the Copa América match as reigning Copa and World Cup champions, with nothing left to show — simply one other trophy to play for.
Lionel Messi not yearns for the validation of his nation or feels the burden of reaching success after captaining La Albiceleste to back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022. Ángel Di María, who as soon as obtained criticism for his lack of accomplishments with the nationwide group, now proudly boasts a 3rd star on the Argentina crest that he helped attain.
Key figures Emiliano Martínez, Lisandro Martínez, Lautaro Martínez and Rodrigo De Paul additionally stroll onto the sphere fueled with confidence from adoring supporters.
Now, with out the necessity for acceptance and strain to raise silverware, Argentina have returned to the Copa América last for the second consecutive time after triumphing towards Canada 2-0 at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday. So, what constantly drives this group to victory?
Supervisor Lionel Scaloni has allowed gamers to really feel happy with earlier accomplishments and bask within the glory of the present state of Argentinian triumph. However as soon as the 2024 match began, he shortly imposed a way of humility to keep away from vanity and overconfidence when approaching the brand new set of challenges that the competitors presents. Competing as presiding champions comes with a novel demand, however Scaloni’s profitable mentality continues to encourage this group to new heights and elevated expectations. A technique or one other, La Albiceleste finds a solution to succeed below his administration.
“We’re clear in regards to the path to observe. It isn’t straightforward to compete once more after profitable all of it. About outcomes, the winner is not all the time the one who does the perfect issues. Nobody can decrease their guard,” Scaloni mentioned in March.
In response to the coach, the objective, regardless of the way it’s achieved, is to win. And gamers made that mentality obvious as soon as once more towards Canada.
The North American opponents started the match stronger, urgent excessive to invade Argentina’s half and be an inconvenience to defenders. The Canadians recorded two pictures within the first 10 minutes earlier than La Albiceleste might attain goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
However as anticipated by Scaloni, Argentina discovered a solution to break by means of. Julián Álvarez broke the impasse within the first half, capitalizing on a by means of ball from De Paul earlier than finishing a right-footed strike into the online. Messi then doubled Argentina’s tally within the second 45, scoring his first objective of the match when grazing the ball off Enzo Fernández‘s try at objective.
De Paul could not get onto the scoresheet, however his 63 touches all through the match proved important within the group’s fixed buildup. Cristian Romero contributed by profitable 3 of three floor duels and 1 of 1 aerial duels, demonstrating that each element issues. However nonetheless, Argentina did not convincingly dominate.
Canada accomplished 9 pictures and two on the right track, as Ismaël Koné and Jacob Shaffelburg ran freely inside Argentina’s half. Jesse Marsch’s facet even clawed its approach into the field within the last moments of the match, forcing Emiliano Martínez to make a wonderful foot save within the 89th minute.
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Why Alphonso Davies struggled in Copa América
Kasey Keller and Herculez Gomez talk about Alphonso Davies’ struggles for Canada in Copa América.
The two-0 last rating is perhaps deceiving and persuade supporters that Marsch’s group didn’t compete, when in actuality, Argentina concluded the match with simply two extra pictures and 51% possession. Canada challenged, however La Albiceleste’s confidence and conquering mentality proved to be the distinction.
Argentina maneuvered the group stage match in the same method with 2-0 and 1-0 scorelines, profitable tough video games with hard-fought performances earlier than nearly seeing an early exit towards Ecuador. The quarterfinal opponents kicked off stronger, managing three pictures and one on objective regardless of retaining 36% possession. As compared, Argentina recorded zero pictures within the first 24 minutes and resorted to goalkeeper Martínez to remain within the match. Argentina didn’t outshine Ecuador, permitting a last-minute equalizer by Kevin Rodríguez to pressure the sport right into a penalty shootout. However La Albiceleste refused to crumble below the frustration of shedding the lead, as an alternative returning to the pitch with a better function.
Emiliano Martinez epitomized the profitable mentality that Scaloni continues to instill on this group by boasting a powerful confidence and attacking each penalty in an aggressive method. The standard of the regular-time efficiency turned irrelevant after gamers proved that Argentina would discover a solution to prevail by any means needed.
Followers and media criticized Argentina for an absence of terribly dominant outcomes all through the match, utilizing Colombia‘s 5-0 overcome Panama or 3-0 towards Costa Rica as examples, however Scaloni’s Argentina stay unfazed.
“No, I do not assume we have to have that [standout] recreation; we’re taking part in based on the opponents and competing. We are able to play higher or worse, however we’re taking part in to the extent of this match,” Scaloni mentioned. “We’re taking part in the sport wanted to compete.”
And so, the mentality indoctrinated to La Albiceleste by Scaloni turns into extra evident with every passing recreation, as gamers discover a solution to safe a ticket to the following spherical by any means needed. The group’s unwavering dedication to this mentality drove the 2021 Copa América title and the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy. Now, the method to strain and stress is perhaps totally different, however this group continues to play with one objective: profitable.
Argentina now prepares to compete within the Copa América last for the second consecutive time. Many surprise if Uruguay or Colombia — set to face off Wednesday — will pose a better problem for Argentina within the final recreation of the match. However the opponent ceases to matter with the mindset La Albiceleste employs.
“Soccer is that this: attempting issues even once they do not go your approach. This group won’t ever cease attempting,” Scaloni mentioned after Tuesday’s win.
It is a philosophy that’s clear below the Argentina boss. Each particular person on the 26-player roster vows to play his half on and off the sphere.