Argentina World Cup Team Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

World Cup | Odds | Free Picks | Venues | Groups: A B C D E F G H | Knockout: Rd 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals

CONTENTS

• Argentina To Win World Cup Odds
• Argentina Path To Final
• Argentina Previous World Cup Finishes
• Argentina Golden Boot Odds
• Argentina World Cup FAQ

Argentina To Win World Cup Odds

Argentina are among the favourites to win the World Cup – but betting sites don’t think Lionel Messi and co. warrant being top of the soccer odds. Argentina haven’t had the best of World Cup experiences over the last three decades, but have twice won the tournament (in 1978 and 1986).

Two final defeats (in 1990 and 2014) is all they have to show for the past 30 years. Meanwhile, it was only last year that Messi finally got his hands on a trophy with Argentina, when they won the Copa America.

Thankfully for boss Lionel Scaloni, Argentina head into the World Cup having remained unbeaten in more than a year. They beat Brazil to lift the Copa America trophy in 2021, went on a six-game run without conceding a goal, and this summer stuffed Italy 3-0 in the recently-rejuvenated Finalissima.

Messi, naturally, draws the attention of media, fans and soccer bettors alike. But Argentina boasts a wealth of other talent. Angel Di Maria, Nicolás Otamendi, Leandro Paredes and Paulo Dybala are hugely experienced players. Exequiel Palacios and Julian Alvarez are part of a younger generation coming into the team, meaning head coach Scaloni has plenty of options when considering his World Cup squad.

Sportsbooks are giving the same odds for both Argentina and France to win World Cup - 0.91/1. These odds have actually come in from 10/1 earlier this year, when a 1-1 tie with Ecuador in March cast some doubt on their ability to see off opponents.

Still, the triumph over Italy at Wembley in June ensured those odds came back in. South American clubs and nations love to pit themselves against European counterparts – and the Finalissima result proved, to some, that Scaloni’s side is ready for Qatar.

With Giovani Lo Celso and Rodrigo De Paul now firmly embedded in the Scaloni system, and Emiliano Martinez proving to be one of the world’s best goalkeepers, Argentina are well placed to challenge for the World Cup.

Argentina Path To Final

Argentina’s have one of the easiest routes to the final thanks to the decision to put hosts Qatar into pot 1.

Pot Draw

Argentina were seeded fourth for the World Cup draw, so they were placed in Pot 1. They secured their seeding thanks to a largely seamless qualifying campaign, where they finished behind only Brazil in the South American table.

Group Stage

Argentina faced Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C. The first big surprise at the World Cup happened right at the premiere of Argentina because they lost to Saudi Arabia 2:1. They managed to pool together after this unexpected defeat, beat Mexico and Poland by the same score 2:0 and finished the group stage in the first place.

Knockout Stage Games

Argentina played the runner-up of Group D in the last 16 - Australia. La Albiceleste won that game 2:1 and faced Group A winners Netherlands in the quarter-finals. It was the 83rd minute and Argentina were leading 2:0, but then the Netherlands made sure that the finish became much more interesting. Wout Weghorst reduced the lead of the Argentines to 2:1, and then scored again to make it 2:2. Argentina had to fight for the semi-finals on penalties and they succeeded. They beat Croatia 3:0 in the semi-final, and France is waiting for them in the final.

Final

Argentina met France in the final, and the result was one of the greatest games that soccer has had, in this writer's opinion. Argentina jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, then took their foot off the gas as France was able to equalize at 2-2. They finished out stoppage time and played an additional 15 minute period that saw both teams score in heroic ways before Argentina scored on all four of their penalty tries to finally win Messi's first World Cup!

Argentina Previous World Cup Finishes

Argentina have twice won the World Cup and were runners-up in the inaugural competition back in 1930. Here’s Argentina’s World Cup record in full:

• 1930 – Runners-up
• 1934 – First Round
• 1958 – Group Stage
• 1962 – Group Stage
• 1966 – Quarterfinals
• 1974 – Second Round
• 1978 – Champions
• 1982 – Second Round
• 1986 – Champions
• 1990 – Runners-up
• 1994 – Last-16
• 1998 – Quarterfinals
• 2002 – Group Stage
• 2006 – Quarterfinals
• 2010 – Quarterfinals
• 2014 – Runners-up
• 2018 – Last-16

Argentina Golden Boot Odds

Argentina World Cup FAQ

Want to know more about Argentina at the World Cup? Check out these answers to some frequently asked questions.

Has Argentina qualified for the World Cup?

Yes. Argentina qualified behind Brazil in the South American qualification route to the World Cup. Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez were Argentina’s lead scorers during qualifying.

Why Is the World Cup In November?

The World Cup in 2022 takes place this November because it is being held in Qatar. Officials decided a summer World Cup in 104 degrees heat would not be possible.

Will Argentina win the World Cup again?

Argentina are one of the favourites to win the World Cup for the first time since 1986. However, France is waiting for them in the final.

Will Messi play at the World Cup?

Yes. Lionel Messi will play what is likely to be his last World Cup this winter. The 35-year-old led Argentina to the 2014 World Cup final, only to lose to Germany. He has won just two trophies with his country – the 2021 Copa America and 2022 .

How much World Cup prize money can Argentina win?

Argentina could earn as much as $62 million in prize money, should they go all the way and win the World Cup. The Argentine Football Federation receives any prize money earned during the tournament.

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