World Cup 2022: Argentina 2-1 Australia – Analysis
Argentina again had problems in occupying space, as they did in the second match of this World Cup. On this occasion they made the team too narrow. Australia positioned the whole team very close to the ball holder and Argentina instead of keeping the full-backs away from the play, close to the flank, they moved closer. There was also a lack of long balls from wing to wing to turn the play. There was also too much short passing to players without dynamism.
In the last 20 minutes of the 1st half Papu switched to the right wing and by overloading players on the flank, with Messi very involved, they managed to create advantages and get into the final third, which led to the 1-0.
In the second half Scaloni sought to give the team more width by switching to a line of three cente-backs. The full-backs moved to positions that favoured the team more and the occupation of space was slightly better when Argentina had the ball.
In any case, Argentina need to look for a better performance, as it was Leo Messi who allowed Argentina to advance to the quarter-finals.
Tactical Analysis
1-25: Narrow
25-45: Papu Gómez on the right wing
50-90: back three
