Abdullah719
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Messi. Aguero. Higuain. Di Maria. Dybala.
No teamwork, no output, poor results.
What's gone wrong?
No teamwork, no output, poor results.
What's gone wrong?
-
Contact the PP Team
Why has the Argentina team performed so poorly in the World Cup?
- Thread starter Abdullah719
- Start date
Team is not balanced to be honest.
Only thing they have is abundance of riches in forward line - 4 are here, and they had at least another 4 back at home, who can make most squads.
But, in other areas, it's a poor squad. Defense is among poorest among all Latin teams, mid-field is aged and slow, while least said about GK is better - even Liverpool has better Goal Keeping stock. On top of that, this is probably the shortest squad with average height around 175cm.
And, their Coach is an absolute failure - not sure why Packerman is at Colombia, Bielsa at Leeds, Simione at Athletico, Pochhetino at Spurs, Cuper at Egypt, Pizzi at Saudi Arab, Gerardo Matino in Italy ... and this guy is in charge!!!
Only thing they have is abundance of riches in forward line - 4 are here, and they had at least another 4 back at home, who can make most squads.
But, in other areas, it's a poor squad. Defense is among poorest among all Latin teams, mid-field is aged and slow, while least said about GK is better - even Liverpool has better Goal Keeping stock. On top of that, this is probably the shortest squad with average height around 175cm.
And, their Coach is an absolute failure - not sure why Packerman is at Colombia, Bielsa at Leeds, Simione at Athletico, Pochhetino at Spurs, Cuper at Egypt, Pizzi at Saudi Arab, Gerardo Matino in Italy ... and this guy is in charge!!!
Kroll
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brilliant from Modric but in all the years of watching Argentina I can’t remember them ever having such a poor side.</p>— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1009884124763623424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">21 June 2018</a></blockquote>
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Syed1
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Bye bye Argentina
waqar goraya
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Because they are a poor team. They could have played far better with better planning and team combination.
They looked like a confused bunch, except good strikers in the squad they have a very mediocre midfield. Midfield is so poor that Messi had to draw back to the midfield to receive ball against Iceland and in this game he played as a midfielder from the start. Aguero could not touch the ball for half an hour.
Coaching is abysmal, their defence line was in tatters few times which tells about their coach, and the fact that he remains hyper all the time did not help the cause either. Less said about the goalkeeper the better.
They looked like a confused bunch, except good strikers in the squad they have a very mediocre midfield. Midfield is so poor that Messi had to draw back to the midfield to receive ball against Iceland and in this game he played as a midfielder from the start. Aguero could not touch the ball for half an hour.
Coaching is abysmal, their defence line was in tatters few times which tells about their coach, and the fact that he remains hyper all the time did not help the cause either. Less said about the goalkeeper the better.
Syed1
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Yeah he was a complete dud today... That first goal was hilarious
James
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Who cares, this is just too hilarious for words.
Long may it continue.
Long may it continue.
Syed1
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I mean England had to fight tooth and nail to beat mighty Tunisia, I wouldn't be flying too high if I was English.
When I saw Cabillero in goal for them I knew straight away this was a disaster waiting to happen.
Mascherano's legs have gone.
Messi looks confused and disinterested.
Aguero not getting the service.
Several other average players who look out of their depth wearing the Argentina shirt.
Mascherano's legs have gone.
Messi looks confused and disinterested.
Aguero not getting the service.
Several other average players who look out of their depth wearing the Argentina shirt.
nextover666666
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poor keeper, you need a solid keeper to do well
DeadBall
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Very poor keeper. Neuer could keep better by just using his feet.
waqar goraya
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I still remember Argentina's 2002 campaign when resolute Sweden denied hot favorites Argentina the win and the hot favorites were crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage. I was not much into football then but i remember the tears and anguish of Argentinians on that day. The players had handkerchiefs out to wipe tears.
Another heartbreak that i remember was Netherlands' round of 16 match against Portugal where dutch were clearly the better side but were unlucky to finish as the loosing side
Another heartbreak that i remember was Netherlands' round of 16 match against Portugal where dutch were clearly the better side but were unlucky to finish as the loosing side
GK issue is self made - they went for someone from top Club, but this guy hardly got match time at Chelsea (Or MCity before). Just a decent GK from a big football team (country), who was happy taking fat pay cheque to warm the bench. They had Guzman, who starts for Mexican League Champs for last 3 years; they had Sergio Romero (Not sure why he is not in even squad), they even didn't pick Rulli, who actually is No. 1 at Sociedad now.
KingKhanWC
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They are just not organised at all. Once they lose the ball the shape is all over the place which allows the opposition so much space.
It doesn't help apart from their front line, they have average players. Never seen an Argentina side this bad in world cups.
It doesn't help apart from their front line, they have average players. Never seen an Argentina side this bad in world cups.
James
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At least we won our opening game, and have a good chance of making the knockouts. We have 3 points from our opening game, and beating Panama will likely seal our place in the last 16.
Compare this to the much-vaunted Argentina with their so called greatest player of all time, who have played Iceland and Croatia already and the end sum of what they have to show for it is..... 1 point.
Cpt. Rishwat
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England might not have the flair forwards that Argentina does, but they are far better balanced. You just have to look at Iceland to see that a well drilled team is more effective than a collection of individuals. That said, I blame the manager for Argentina's poor showing, his team reflected him on the touchline, frenetic and panic stricken. A high class manager could easily have turned that same bunch of players into a threat for the cup, but they had no shape or discipline.
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Lionel Messi could not guide his side to victory because "the reality of the Argentina squad clouds his brilliance" - according to coach Jorge Sampaoli.
The coach faced a grilling from the Argentine media after Messi could do little to prevent Croatia from thumping his side 3-0.
"Leo is limited because the team doesn't gel ideally with him as it should," said Sampaoli.
"I would beg fans for their forgiveness. I am responsible."
Sampaoli was criticised in his news conference for picking goalkeeper Willy Caballero, substituting Sergio Aguero and changing his starting formation to 3-4-3.
Caballero's terrible mistake allowed Ante Rebic to open the scoring after a poor first half. Sampaoli's side never looked like recovering, with the former Chile coach admitting that his team were "emotionally broken".
The opening question from the media stated that "40m Argentines hold you responsible for selecting Caballero", with one reporter saying to the manager "let's talk about shame and embarrassment" and another asking: "Why can't you get your players to pass the ball to Lionel Messi?"
Argentina are not out of the World Cup yet - they could yet qualify with victory over Nigeria in their final group game next - but on and off the pitch they look in trouble.
"I am just as dreamy-eyed as any fan and I am very hurt," said Sampaoli.
"Messi is our captain, he leads the team and we quite simply couldn't pass to him to help him generate the situations he is used to. We worked to give him the ball but the opponent also worked hard to prevent him from getting the ball. We lost that battle.
"Some of the players didn't manage to play with my system, I probably didn't set up my team in the right way."
Messi is Argentina's record scorer but has had 12 shots in Russia without a goal, and has now gone six World Cup matches without finding the net.
Sampaoli also defended Chelsea goalkeeper Caballero, who only made his debut earlier this year at the age of 36 and is starting because Manchester United's Sergio Romero injured his knee.
"I am the one who needs to make the final decision," he said.
"The key to our defeat related to my responsibility because I am the coach. Had I set things out differently, things may have turned out better. I don't think it is right to put the burden on Caballero.
I don't know about shame, but I definitely feel pain. It's been a long time as a coach since I've been through this experience and it's much more painful when I'm wearing the jersey of my country.
"[In the last match] we have to fight, give it our all, and we really have no other alternative. There's pain because we weren't at the level that the Argentine people expect of us."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44567336
The coach faced a grilling from the Argentine media after Messi could do little to prevent Croatia from thumping his side 3-0.
"Leo is limited because the team doesn't gel ideally with him as it should," said Sampaoli.
"I would beg fans for their forgiveness. I am responsible."
Sampaoli was criticised in his news conference for picking goalkeeper Willy Caballero, substituting Sergio Aguero and changing his starting formation to 3-4-3.
Caballero's terrible mistake allowed Ante Rebic to open the scoring after a poor first half. Sampaoli's side never looked like recovering, with the former Chile coach admitting that his team were "emotionally broken".
The opening question from the media stated that "40m Argentines hold you responsible for selecting Caballero", with one reporter saying to the manager "let's talk about shame and embarrassment" and another asking: "Why can't you get your players to pass the ball to Lionel Messi?"
Argentina are not out of the World Cup yet - they could yet qualify with victory over Nigeria in their final group game next - but on and off the pitch they look in trouble.
"I am just as dreamy-eyed as any fan and I am very hurt," said Sampaoli.
"Messi is our captain, he leads the team and we quite simply couldn't pass to him to help him generate the situations he is used to. We worked to give him the ball but the opponent also worked hard to prevent him from getting the ball. We lost that battle.
"Some of the players didn't manage to play with my system, I probably didn't set up my team in the right way."
Messi is Argentina's record scorer but has had 12 shots in Russia without a goal, and has now gone six World Cup matches without finding the net.
Sampaoli also defended Chelsea goalkeeper Caballero, who only made his debut earlier this year at the age of 36 and is starting because Manchester United's Sergio Romero injured his knee.
"I am the one who needs to make the final decision," he said.
"The key to our defeat related to my responsibility because I am the coach. Had I set things out differently, things may have turned out better. I don't think it is right to put the burden on Caballero.
I don't know about shame, but I definitely feel pain. It's been a long time as a coach since I've been through this experience and it's much more painful when I'm wearing the jersey of my country.
"[In the last match] we have to fight, give it our all, and we really have no other alternative. There's pain because we weren't at the level that the Argentine people expect of us."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44567336
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Major
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I dont know much about football, but i'm surprsied that these guys have Higuin, Di Maria, Aguero, Messi himself, Dybala at bench and Rojo and yet they cant score.
I believe the problem is that this team concentrates on Messi too much. Everyone is just looking to give the ball to messi and hope for him to do something.
Others arn't being trusted.
Or maybe i dont know about football at all.
I believe the problem is that this team concentrates on Messi too much. Everyone is just looking to give the ball to messi and hope for him to do something.
Others arn't being trusted.
Or maybe i dont know about football at all.
Rayyman
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Struggling with foreign conditions. :
Arham_PakFan
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The fans of the Argentinian football team in Karachi's Lyari area were disappointed by Argentina's 3-0 defeat to Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2018.
A supporter said that the star player Lionel Messi disappointed them in the fixture.
"Argentina is a good side overall but we could not believe that they could concede three goals," another disappointed fan said.
He added that they were disappointed by the team's performance.
Another fan said that the people of Lyari were optimistic for a win against the European side but they were left with broken hearts.
"The game presented by the side was not up to par," a dejected fan said.
Argentina are on the brink of elimination in the mega event following the defeat.
A horrendous mistake by goalkeeper Willy Caballero and two further goals from Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic mean the two-time former champions have to rely on an unlikely sequence of results if they are to progress in Russia.
It was the heaviest defeat for the two-time world champions in the first round group stages of a World Cup tournament since they lost 6-1 to Czechoslovakia in 1958.
https://www.samaa.tv/sports/2018/06/argentinas-loss-to-croatia-leaves-lyari-fans-heartbroken/
A supporter said that the star player Lionel Messi disappointed them in the fixture.
"Argentina is a good side overall but we could not believe that they could concede three goals," another disappointed fan said.
He added that they were disappointed by the team's performance.
Another fan said that the people of Lyari were optimistic for a win against the European side but they were left with broken hearts.
"The game presented by the side was not up to par," a dejected fan said.
Argentina are on the brink of elimination in the mega event following the defeat.
A horrendous mistake by goalkeeper Willy Caballero and two further goals from Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic mean the two-time former champions have to rely on an unlikely sequence of results if they are to progress in Russia.
It was the heaviest defeat for the two-time world champions in the first round group stages of a World Cup tournament since they lost 6-1 to Czechoslovakia in 1958.
https://www.samaa.tv/sports/2018/06/argentinas-loss-to-croatia-leaves-lyari-fans-heartbroken/
Hasan123
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Romero is injured.
Hasan123
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We know the GK is rubbish. His mistake wasn't a surprise. Surely Argentina have better keepers avaliable. They have some decent defenders but there is no defensive system. Defenders just seem to do what they want.
The problem in the midfield is that it is slow and lacks creativey. The lack of creativey is making Messi drop deep and he isn't as effective further away from goal.
Messi needs to take some responsbillity for his performances but the way the team is set up doesn't help him at all.
The problem in the midfield is that it is slow and lacks creativey. The lack of creativey is making Messi drop deep and he isn't as effective further away from goal.
Messi needs to take some responsbillity for his performances but the way the team is set up doesn't help him at all.
To be fair to Argentina, they aren't in a mickey-mouse group like England are.
Arham_PakFan
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Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has blasted Argentina's World Cup campaign, lambasting the "anarchy" on and off the field that has left the two-time champions facing first-round elimination.
In an audio recording published by Spanish media outlets, the former Argentina international said the current squad lacked leadership on and off the field following Thursday's 3-0 rout by Croatia in Group D.
And in a veiled dig at Argentina star Lionel Messi, Simeone even hinted he would pick Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo in his team if forced to choose.
"What is happening right now is what has happened to the national team over the past four years, unfortunately: anarchy," Simeone said.
"There is no leadership from the management or from those who are supposed to lead. I see a team that is lost."
With Messi struggling for form and yet to score in Russia, Simeone indicated that he would prefer to have Ronaldo in his team.
"Messi is very good, but it is clear that he is very good because he is surrounded by extraordinary players (at Barcelona)," Simeone said. "The question I ask is if you have to choose between Messi and Ronaldo in a normal team, who would you choose?"
Argentina have one point from two games and now need to beat Nigeria in their final group game and hope that other results go their way to proceed into the last 16.
Despite the uncertainty, Simeone said he had not given up hope that Argentina may yet survive into the knockout stage.
"The team is all wrong, but it is Argentina and I believe that it will happen," Simeone said.
However Simeone said Argentina needed to rediscover their fighting spirit to have any chance of progressing.
"It's clear that today in the locker room they are coming to blows. Someone has to step up and start fighting," he added.
Simeone meanwhile was scathing of error-prone goalkeeper Willy Caballero, whose howler led to Croatia's opening goal.
"He's done it before hasn't he?" Simeone said. "He did it against Spain, and against Italy. If you make a mistake like that in a World Cup game, it's a goal."
https://www.supersport.com/football/news/180622_Simeone_slams_Argentina_anarchy_takes_jab_at_Messi
In an audio recording published by Spanish media outlets, the former Argentina international said the current squad lacked leadership on and off the field following Thursday's 3-0 rout by Croatia in Group D.
And in a veiled dig at Argentina star Lionel Messi, Simeone even hinted he would pick Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo in his team if forced to choose.
"What is happening right now is what has happened to the national team over the past four years, unfortunately: anarchy," Simeone said.
"There is no leadership from the management or from those who are supposed to lead. I see a team that is lost."
With Messi struggling for form and yet to score in Russia, Simeone indicated that he would prefer to have Ronaldo in his team.
"Messi is very good, but it is clear that he is very good because he is surrounded by extraordinary players (at Barcelona)," Simeone said. "The question I ask is if you have to choose between Messi and Ronaldo in a normal team, who would you choose?"
Argentina have one point from two games and now need to beat Nigeria in their final group game and hope that other results go their way to proceed into the last 16.
Despite the uncertainty, Simeone said he had not given up hope that Argentina may yet survive into the knockout stage.
"The team is all wrong, but it is Argentina and I believe that it will happen," Simeone said.
However Simeone said Argentina needed to rediscover their fighting spirit to have any chance of progressing.
"It's clear that today in the locker room they are coming to blows. Someone has to step up and start fighting," he added.
Simeone meanwhile was scathing of error-prone goalkeeper Willy Caballero, whose howler led to Croatia's opening goal.
"He's done it before hasn't he?" Simeone said. "He did it against Spain, and against Italy. If you make a mistake like that in a World Cup game, it's a goal."
https://www.supersport.com/football/news/180622_Simeone_slams_Argentina_anarchy_takes_jab_at_Messi
Oligochaetes
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Heard news that for the last game against Nigeria, the Argentine players themselves will pick the team.
It's absolute chaos in that camp.
What is going on exactly?
It's absolute chaos in that camp.
What is going on exactly?
Arham_PakFan
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Bronnitsy - Lionel Messi and Argentina hit the training ground on Saturday with renewed hope of qualifying for the World Cup last 16.
Argentina were on the brink of elimination after a humiliating 3-0 loss to Croatia, but Nigeria's 2-0 win over Iceland on Friday offered the two-time world champions a lifeline.
Victory over Nigeria in their final Group D match in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday would send Argentina through as runners-up if group leaders Croatia avoid defeat against Iceland.
Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi and midfielder Lucas Biglia trained separately from the rest of the squad in the gym as they recover from minor knocks.
Defensive pair Mercado and Otamendi suffered ankle injuries in the loss to Croatia but are expected to be fit to face Nigeria.
Coach Jorge Sampaoli was roundly criticised for his approach against Croatia, sparking rumours the 58-year-old would be sacked during the tournament.
It had been suggested that 1986 World Cup winner Jorge Burruchaga, the team's technical director, would replace Sampaoli, but the claims were strongly denied by the Argentina Football Association (AFA).
Messi was kept quiet as Argentina suffered their heaviest first round group stage defeat since 1958, but the Barcelona forward could yet have his say at what is likely his fourth and final World Cup.
Goalkeeper Willy Caballero could be dropped following his mistake for the opening goal against Croatia, with River Plate's Franco Armani possibly in line to make his international debut.
- AFP
https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/Wo...as-argentina-train-with-renewed-hope-20180623
Argentina were on the brink of elimination after a humiliating 3-0 loss to Croatia, but Nigeria's 2-0 win over Iceland on Friday offered the two-time world champions a lifeline.
Victory over Nigeria in their final Group D match in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday would send Argentina through as runners-up if group leaders Croatia avoid defeat against Iceland.
Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi and midfielder Lucas Biglia trained separately from the rest of the squad in the gym as they recover from minor knocks.
Defensive pair Mercado and Otamendi suffered ankle injuries in the loss to Croatia but are expected to be fit to face Nigeria.
Coach Jorge Sampaoli was roundly criticised for his approach against Croatia, sparking rumours the 58-year-old would be sacked during the tournament.
It had been suggested that 1986 World Cup winner Jorge Burruchaga, the team's technical director, would replace Sampaoli, but the claims were strongly denied by the Argentina Football Association (AFA).
Messi was kept quiet as Argentina suffered their heaviest first round group stage defeat since 1958, but the Barcelona forward could yet have his say at what is likely his fourth and final World Cup.
Goalkeeper Willy Caballero could be dropped following his mistake for the opening goal against Croatia, with River Plate's Franco Armani possibly in line to make his international debut.
- AFP
https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/Wo...as-argentina-train-with-renewed-hope-20180623
DeadBall
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh to be a fly on the wall!<br><br>A "furious and upset" Diego Maradona has requested a meeting with Argentina's players before their final <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCup</a> group game.<br><br>Read �� <a href="https://t.co/23lwAUZSyB">https://t.co/23lwAUZSyB</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcworldcup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bbcworldcup</a> <a href="https://t.co/ecx6G9Sk7A">pic.twitter.com/ecx6G9Sk7A</a></p>— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1010988432871419904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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They've come through a tough group and anything is possible for them now. I don't think they have the all-round strength to win the tournament, but they've come through a group that many 'champion' teams wouldn't have come through.
waqar goraya
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Di Maria, Higuain need to do a lot better to challenge France in the next game.
Geordie Ahmed
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They have no chance of winning it, they just aren't good enough at the back.
I expect France to beat them with ease.
Happy for Messi to have gotten through the group stages, has silenced the haters who had a lot of nonsense to say about him after the first and second game.
I expect France to beat them with ease.
Happy for Messi to have gotten through the group stages, has silenced the haters who had a lot of nonsense to say about him after the first and second game.
Greenstorm
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Argentina must defend deep and should look to play on the counter against France. If they play like they usually do with high defence line, Mbappe and Dembele will be too quick for them.
Why is Dybala not playing ?
Why is Dybala not playing ?
James
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This is a team that completely lost its shape after going behind to Croatia. They have not become a good unit overnight by narrowly beating Nigeria. They are a mentally weak side and rely far too much on Messi. France will beat them.
waqar goraya
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Can a team win without a manager? The players have sidelined the coach, this can't go on for long.
Smbhayi
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Hope they reach Semi...
James
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Blown away in the second half by 3 French goals in 13 action-packed minutes.
Arham_PakFan
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A really poor defense.It could have easily been 6-3 for France.
Kroll
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Argentina deserve to be booted out when you bench Higuain and especially Aguero. I've been following Aguero's progress last few years and this guy is absolutely devastating when fit and firing. I'm in no way surprised that he got a goal when he came on as this is what he can do.
I'm not saying the final outcome of a French victory might have been different but having Aguero would have carried a much higher attacking threat as you just can't leave everything to Messi.
I'm not saying the final outcome of a French victory might have been different but having Aguero would have carried a much higher attacking threat as you just can't leave everything to Messi.
Kroll
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Javier Mascherano retires after Argentina World Cup exit
Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano has retired from international duty following their World Cup exit.
The 34-year-old made 145 appearances for Argentina, including their dramatic 4-3 defeat by France in the last 16 on Saturday.
Mascherano played every minute of Argentina's games at this year's World Cup - his fourth successive tournament.
He told DeportTV: "Personally, for me now it's over. From now on I'm just one more Argentina fan."
The double Olympic champion made his senior debut in 2003 and began his career at Argentine club River Plate.
He played for West Ham from 2006 to 2007, leaving to join Liverpool where he featured in the 2007 Champions League final defeat by AC Milan.
Mascherano played for Barcelona from 2010 to this January, winning the Champions League twice and being part of squads that won La Liga on five occasions.
He is currently with Chinese club Hebei China Fortune.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44669289
Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano has retired from international duty following their World Cup exit.
The 34-year-old made 145 appearances for Argentina, including their dramatic 4-3 defeat by France in the last 16 on Saturday.
Mascherano played every minute of Argentina's games at this year's World Cup - his fourth successive tournament.
He told DeportTV: "Personally, for me now it's over. From now on I'm just one more Argentina fan."
The double Olympic champion made his senior debut in 2003 and began his career at Argentine club River Plate.
He played for West Ham from 2006 to 2007, leaving to join Liverpool where he featured in the 2007 Champions League final defeat by AC Milan.
Mascherano played for Barcelona from 2010 to this January, winning the Champions League twice and being part of squads that won La Liga on five occasions.
He is currently with Chinese club Hebei China Fortune.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44669289
End of a generation - bulk of these players won 2005 & 2007 U20 WC (with sweeping individual awards), and double Olympic Golds in 2004 & 2008; but couldn't turn it on Argentinian color at WC or Copa - those who say Messi didn't have the players around don't have much clue. 2014 was their golden chance, this year squad was too aged and they had glaring gaps at GK, defense, midfield; too many holes to plug in.
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