Copa America champions Argentina will be looking to win back-to-back major tournaments in Qatar at the World Cup 2022.
They won their second World Cup in 1986 when the heroic Diego Maradona inspired them to glory and 36 years later the greatest player of his generation, Lionel Messi, will try to do the same. All eyes will be on La Albiceleste for this tournament with their side littered with top – if ageing – talent.
Here to preview their chances is Paddy Power footy trader David Murphy.
WELCOME TO PADDY POWER NEWS!
Argentina World Cup 2022 qualifying record
As expected Argentina comfortably qualified, coming second in the group to Brazil. In qualifying they scored 27 goals and conceded eight in 17 games (Brazil scored 40 and let in five). Lautaro Martinez and Lionel Messi both scored seven goals each in the campaign. We also saw Argentina impress when they beat Italy 3-0 in the Finalissima, proving they can also perform against European sides too.
Who is the Argentina manager?
After a poor display in Russia four years ago, manager Jorge Sampaoli was sacked and replaced with the former international Lionel Scaloni. The ex-West Ham defender looks to have found the perfect formula to make Argentina extremely difficult to beat, and they are only two games away from beating Italy’s record of 35 international matches undefeated.
Argentina World Cup squad
La Albiceleste have great players in every position on the pitch, in fact they have nearly two or three high-quality players for each position. They are extremely difficult to beat, having not lost since 2019, however, they arguably don’t score as many goals as they should considering the talent they have in the shape of Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez. They simply don’t destroy teams four or five-nil like their rivals Brazil do.
The one place teams will target is their ageing defence consisting of Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico and Marcos Acuna who seem to have been around since the dawn of time. Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister is also another weak point in midfield and he looks a level or two behind the rest of his team mates technically.
- Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Franco Armani
- Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, German Pezzella, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Juan Foyth, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Acuna
- Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Guido Rodriguez, Alexis Mac Allister, Alejandro Gomez, Enzo Fernandez, Exequiel Palacios
- Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Angel Di Maria, Paulo Dybala, Joaquin Correa, Nicolas Gonzalez
Argentina Key Player
Lionel Messi. The man needs no introduction. He has had a trophy-laden club career winning all that is on offer but that’s just the point – ‘club’ career. It took the maestro until he was 34 to win anything with his national side. Will he carry through this good luck to the World Cup or was winning the Copa America a one-off? With Messi at the helm of this Argentina team anything is possible.
Argentina One to watch
Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez always turns it on for his national side scoring nine goals this year alone for La Albiceleste. The strong and graceful striker has a way of getting on the end of balls and scoring one-touch screamers, he is always an exciting player to watch.
Argentina World Cup Prospects
Argentina made hard work of qualifying from Group C after losing to Saudi Arabia in their opener. They went on to finish top to set up a clash with Australia in the last 16. After Saturday it’s probably the Netherlands in the quarter-finals who are on a long unbeaten run. Favourites Brazil and/or France will then likely await in the latter stages of the competition. Argentina can go far with their mix of youth, talent and experience, however, the final four may prove to be as far as they can go.
Argentina World Cup betting tips
There’s little doubt Argentina should go far, however, if all things go to plan and the big boys win all their games as expected then Argentina should face Brazil in the semis who may have too much for their oldest rivals. ARGENTINA STAGE OF ELIMINATION: SEMI-FINAL
Argentina World Cup Winner Odds
Argentina World Cup 2022 Fixtures
November 22, 10am: Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
November 26, 7pm: Argentina 2-0 Mexico
November 30, 7pm: Poland 0-2 Argentina
December 3, 7pm: Argentina v Australia
CLICK BELOW FOR TEAM PREVIEWS ON ARGENTINA’S GROUP C RIVALS
- Mexico World Cup squad analysed
- Poland World Cup squad analysed
- Saudi Arabia World Cup squad analysed
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Read More
- Score your football betting tips and previews at Paddy Power News
- World Cup 2022 dates, fixtures, groups, kick-off times and schedule for Qatar competition
- World Cup 2022: Which teams have qualified for the Qatar World Cup?
- World Cup winner odds: Brazil, France and England head Paddy’s Qatar 2022 outright market
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
