Elite winning mentality & a double Lionel masterclass

La Albiceleste have done it again!

Four years ago, they broke the curse. Now, they are already seasoned campaigners when it comes to World Cup finals. In fact, they have become the sixth different national team to feature in back-to-back World Cup trophy matches, after Italy, Brazil, the Netherlands, West Germany, and France.

However, it wasn't always like that. They had endured a painful chapter of suffering and years of disappointment, and look where they are now. That's why - as ironic as it may sound after last night's game - the team England should learn from is none other than - Argentina.

Elite losing mentality & Tuchel's tactical suicide

La Albiceleste had also been labelled as eternal underachievers. After winning the World Cup in 1986 and reaching the final four years later, they couldn't make it past the quarter-finals for three decades. The trophy match against Germany in 2014 was just the exception that proves the rule, as that team wasn't ready to go all the way.

Copa America was an entirely different cycle of misery, one that started after their 1993 triumph. Since then, Argentina have reached four finals, and never won the trophy.

Up until 2021.

That Copa America tournament was a breaking point - for the national team and for Lionel Messi, whom many doubted and refused to consider one of the best ever, because he was still missing a major achievement with La Albiceleste.

Once they finally broke through, they were unstoppable. Over the last five years, they won two Copa America trophies and the 2022 World Cup. On Sunday, they'll have another chance to claim the world crown.

Thanks to Messi, of course, but perhaps even more thanks to his namesake - Lionel Scaloni.

He inherited a team at rock bottom in 2018 and took them all the way to the top, as each of those successes has his signature written all over it.

Scaloni changed Argentina's mentality and made them winners. He found the proper team core, created a strong group of players, and surrounded Messi with an adequate supporting cast.

Despite his fantastic results with La Albiceleste, the 48-year-old faced plenty of doubters. Many argued that he is more of a glorified human resources manager, whose only task is to maintain harmony within the squad. On-pitch matters were Messi's job.

However, last night, Scaloni proved that he was much more than just a mere observer of Leo's genius. His substitutions and tactical tweaks paved the way for victory and saw him get the better of Thomas Tuchel in the opposite dugout.

And what can be said about Messi...

Football is passion, and passion is Argentina! Champion rises from ashes and shatters English dream

Before the clash against England, he scored in every game in the tournament. Last night, he was invisible for most of the match. But once Scaloni's changes gave him more space, he started producing magic.

Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scored after Messi's assists, as he had a crucial impact in yet another match.

Beating Spain in the final will be the ultimate challenge, but if anyone can do it, it's Argentina and their double Lionel.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Semi-finals

Tuesday

France - Spain 0-2 (0-1)

/Oyarzabal 22 pen, Porro 58/

Wednesday

England - Argentina 1-2 (0-0)

/Gordon 55 - Fernandez 86, Martinez La. 90+2/

Match for third place

Sunday

00.00: (2.00) France (3.75) England (3.60)

Final

Sunday

22.00: (2.35) Spain (3.00) Argentina (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***