FIFA World Cup 2022: How Argentina’s aggressive block and wide wing-backs won them the quarter-final – tactical analysis

Argentina dominated, from the physical and mental sphere, an absolutely tough game that allowed them, after extra-time and a penalty shootout where again, Emiliano Dibu Martínez was the hero, to be among the four best in the 2022 World Cup. With a hard and aggressive block that neutralised the creative options of the Netherlands and Lionel Messi at the highest level that he has shown in the national team, Lionel Scaloni said Martínez and Messi themselves, showed the necessary passion and mental intelligence to play in this instance of this tournament.

For their part, the Netherlands, after a rather bizarre week in terms of Louis Van Gaals quotes and the responses from the Argentine side, with a more pragmatic idea that changed during the 2022 World Cup matches, have been eliminated from the competition. after being one of the candidates to take the trophy. The quality of talents like Virgil Van Dijk, Jurrien Timber, Frenkie de Jong or Cody Gakpo, was not enough in a match where they were greatly outmatched, especially on the physical aspect of the game.

In this tactical analysis, were going to review the tactics of the game, in form of an analysis, of how Lionel Scalonis Argentina beat the Netherlands on penalties to get through the semi-finals.

Lineups

Argentina changed their shape to a 3-5-2 with Emiliano Martínez on goal, Cristián Romero, Nicolás Otamendi and Lisandro Martínez as centre-backs, with Nahuel Molina over the right and Marcos Acuña on the left as their wing-backs. Through the middle, once again the presence of Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo de Paul and Alexis MacAllister, concluding the starting eleven with Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez.

The Netherlands as well went with a back-five, which they have been using since the start of the tournament. Andries Noppert was again the goalkeeper. Jurrien Timber, Virgil Van Dijk, Nathan Aké, Daley Blind and Denzel Dumfries remained untouchable. The midfield was composed of Marten de Roon, Frenkie de Jong and Cody Gakpo, with an attack made of Steven Bergwjin and Memphis Depay.

The width from Acuña/Molina and the intensity of their defensive approach

Argentina, despite changing their ideas and principles with the ball a bit since the start of the World Cup against Saudi Arabia, is a more positional team, than approaching all the players to the ball, in a game much more based on the function of the ball, instead of occupying spaces, has generated criticism and multiple comments from all over the world, many asking for it to be played in another way, the first one showed in the qualifiers, but the reality is that seeking width has worked for Lionel Scalonis men.

And that was exactly what he was