World Cup: Bruised but through, how strong is Argentina?

Argentina narrowly advanced to the next round of the World Cup, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in extra time. The match was a tense affair, with the debutant Cape Verde pushing the reigning champions to the brink of elimination. The victory came at a cost, as Lionel Messi suffered a head injury after colliding with an opponent's knee, though he was able to continue playing.

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On the field they step on me, but now they want my jersey.

Despite the win, the close call has reignited questions about Argentina's squad composition. The team features many players over 30, with no regular starter younger than 25. This reliance on experienced, older players raises concerns about the team's intensity and stamina, especially in a tournament with an expanded format requiring eight matches to win the title. Unlike other top teams, Argentina does not exhibit the same level of consistent intensity.

Messi himself acknowledged the team's shortcomings after the match. He admitted that they struggled to apply pressure effectively and that their team segments were too far apart, allowing opponents to find space. This tactical observation points to potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited in future matches.

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We couldn't put good pressure on them. Our team parts were a bit too far apart. They always had a free man because we couldn't counter.

The team's dependence on the 39-year-old Messi is striking. While his attacking partners, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, are accomplished players who have received significant transfer offers and led their clubs to championships, they often seem to fade into the background when playing alongside Messi. In contrast to Cristiano Ronaldo, whose teammates sometimes appear eager for his departure, Messi's Argentinian colleagues express enjoyment in playing with him daily, as noted by Rodrigo De Paul.

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We enjoy every day we play with him.