Much of the conversation around Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign has focused on Lionel Messi’s age, but the team’s actual vulnerabilities exposed throughout the knockout rounds point to a different, more structural issue.
A Pattern of Slow Starts
Argentina has repeatedly fallen behind or struggled early in matches during the knockout stage. The team trailed Cape Verde twice in the Round of 32 before needing extra time, and fell 2-0 down to Egypt with barely ten minutes remaining in the Round of 16 before an extraordinary comeback. Against Switzerland, Argentina took an early lead but then conceded an equalizer in the second half, again forcing extra time.
Defensive Vulnerabilities Under Pressure
These recurring patterns suggest a defense that has struggled to maintain control against determined, well-organized opponents, rather than an attack limited by Messi’s physical output. Notably, Messi’s assist for Alexis Mac Allister against Switzerland showed his continued influence even in a match where he didn’t score himself, suggesting his contribution has not been the limiting factor in these results.
Fitness and Squad Management
Three consecutive knockout matches requiring extra time have placed significant physical demands on the squad heading into the semifinal against England, itself a team that has needed similarly dramatic finishes to advance. Managing fatigue across the remaining rounds may prove more decisive than any individual player’s age or form.
The Real Question Ahead
Rather than asking whether Messi can still deliver, given his continued goal involvement throughout the tournament, the more pressing question is whether Argentina’s defense and squad depth can hold up against an England team built in a similarly resilient mold. That answer will determine whether Argentina reaches its fourth straight major tournament final.
