Since taking charge in 2018, Lionel Scaloni has transformed Argentina from a talented but often disjointed collection of stars into one of international football’s most consistently successful teams, culminating in the 2026 World Cup semifinal against England.
A Squad Built for Resilience
Unlike earlier Argentina sides that relied heavily on individual brilliance, Scaloni’s current squad has repeatedly shown it can win ugly. Extra-time victories over Cape Verde in the Round of 32 and Switzerland in the quarterfinals, along with a dramatic comeback from two goals down against Egypt, all point to a team built on tactical discipline and mental resilience rather than pure star power.
Sharing the Goal-Scoring Burden
Julián Álvarez’s decisive extra-time strike against Switzerland, and Enzo Fernández’s stoppage-time winner against Egypt, reflect a deliberate effort by Scaloni to build attacking threats beyond Messi. Even in the Switzerland match, where Messi failed to score for the first time all tournament, his assist for Alexis Mac Allister demonstrated how Scaloni’s system allows Messi to influence games without needing to be the direct source of every goal.
A Back Line Built Around Discipline
Cristian Romero’s stoppage-time header against Egypt highlighted the reliability Scaloni has instilled throughout the squad, including in players not traditionally viewed as attacking threats.
Continuity as a Strength
Since Scaloni’s appointment, Argentina has won two Copa América titles alongside the 2022 World Cup, giving this squad an unusual continuity of personnel and tactical identity compared to previous tournament cycles built around shorter-term appointments.
The System’s Biggest Test
Facing England in the semifinal, a team also built on late-game resilience, Scaloni’s tactical approach faces its sternest examination yet. Success would confirm that Argentina’s current era, built methodically around rather than solely upon Messi, ranks among the most complete in the nation’s football history.
